Sally Ride is known for being a former astronaut at NASA. Born in Los Angeles, California on May 26th 1951, she graduated from high school at Westlake, LA in 1968 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1973. In 1975 and 1978, she gained her Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Physics, respectively.

In January 1978, Dr. Sally Ride was chosen as one of the astronaut candidates by NASA. By August that same year, she finished a one-year training and examination period, which qualified her for assignment as one of the mission experts on future Space Shuttle flight crews. Later on, she served as the on-orbit capsule communicator (also known as CAPCOM) on the STS-3 and STS-2 missions.

Apart from being a female astronaut, Sally Ride also worked as a Physics professor at UCSD and the University of California’s California Space Institute director.

In the new millennium, she formed her own business called Sally Ride Science, aiming to pursue her long-time dream of encouraging girls and young women to have careers in math, science, and technology. Her company conducts science programs and publications for middle school and elementary pupils as well as for their parents and instructors.

Ever the devotee for enhanced science education, Dr. Sally Ride has written five books about science for kids. These are: Exploring Our Solar System, The Mystery of Mars, The Third Planet, To Space and Back and Voyager. In addition to her dedication to such education, she has formed and directed academic projects that aim to influence middle schoolers in science.

Sally Ride has been the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and the National Research Council’s Space Studies Board member. She has also been a part of the Boards of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, the NCAA Foundation, and Washington’s Carnegie Institution.