Astronaut Sally Ride with Grundgetta on Sesame Street, January 1984.
Sally Ride broke barriers for American women in space.
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June 18, 1983: Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space
On this day in 1983, at the age of 32, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Her voyage came 20 years after Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. After the voyage, Sally Ride received many honors for her contributions to the field of science and space exploration.
In May 2012, Sally Ride became the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
On July 23, 2012, Sally Ride died at the age of 61 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Visit PBS NewsHour to learn more about Sally Ride.
Photo: Courtesy of NASA
TBT: Sally Ride’s First Famous Space Flight
On this day in 1983, Sally Ride became America’s first woman in space.
Since it’s also Throwback Thursday, we decided to look at a 2013 Morning Edition segment where portions of Ride’s 1983 interview and commentary can be heard.
Her voyage on the Challenger in 1983 inspired the next generation of female astronauts and scientists. Sally is quoted in the interview saying:
“All you need to do is look into the eyes of the kids growing up today. When you mention astronauts, the planets, the space program to them, their eyes just light up. It really captivates them and it ignites something deep inside of all of us.”
In later years, she served as inspiration to the first Latina Astronaut, Ellen Ochoa, and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Pamela Melroy who became the second woman to command a shuttle mission. Following Ride’s death from Pancreatic Cancer in 2012, Michel Martin sat down with these two women to remember Sally and the doors that she opened for young girls.
Such an inspiration! - Aggi
^ Agreed!
Astronauts Kathryn Sullivan and Sally Ride aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, October 13, 1984. (NASA)
TODAY IN HISTORY: Astronauts Kathryn Sullivan and Sally Ride aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, October 13, 1984. (NASA)
“When you’re getting ready to launch into space, you’re sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen.”
—Sally Ride, November 20, 1998
Astronaut Sally Ride, first American woman in space, communicates with ground controllers from the flight deck of the Shuttle Challenger, June 21, 1983.
(NASA)
Sally Ride, first American woman in #space, aboard the Shuttle Challenger, June 1983. (National Archives)
On Friday, we’ll be airing a very special episode of Sesame Street.
A hurricane has swept through Sesame Street and everyone is working together to clean up the neighborhood. When Big Bird checks on his home, he is heartbroken to find that the storm has destroyed his nest. Big Bird’s friends and neighbors gather to show their support and let him know they can fix his home, but it will take time. While everyone on Sesame Street spends the next few days cleaning up and making repairs, Big Bird still has moments where he is sad, angry, and confused. His friends help him cope with his emotions by talking about what happened, drawing pictures together, and giving him lots of hugs. They also comfort Big Bird by offering him temporary places he can eat, sleep, and play. Big Bird remembers all the good times he had at his nest and realizes that once it is rebuilt, there are more good times and memories to come. Finally the day has come where most of the repairs to Big Bird’s home are done and his nest is complete. As he is about to try it out, though, the city nest inspector says it not safe, yet, because the mud isn’t dry. Big Bird is sad that he has to wait another day, but Snuffy comes to the rescue and blows the nest dry and he passes the test! Big Bird thanks everyone for being his friend and helping to rebuild his nest and his home.
Please check your local listings to see what time the episode will air on PBS.
Investment in home and community-based care is popular and must be included in #infrastructure. Now it’s up to Congress to get it done. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/opinion/elder-care-congress.html #HCBS @nytimes