Sally Ride became the first American woman in space on Jun 18, 1983.
Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, died today. And it turns out she was even more of a pioneer than most of us realized. She will also be remembered as the first lesbian astronaut.
Ride, 61, died today after a 17-month battle against pancreatic cancer, her company (Sally Ride Science, the educational venture she founded after leaving NASA, aimed at promoting math and science for girls) confirmed.
The announcement of Ride's death noted that she is survived by her partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy is the COO and Executive Vice President of Sally Ride Science and a Professor Emerita of School Psychology at San Diego State University.
Ride made history in 1983 as a crew member on the space shuttle Challenger, breaking the gender barrier for U.S. spaceflight.
She was married to fellow astronaut Steven Hawley in 1982, but they divorced in 1987 with no children.
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WOW
RIP Sally
i have a little tear in th eye.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjtXJpdxeew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P64vO8EQNQ&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhuGwQq7qZk&feature=related
Thanks my friend. sad part is i didn't even know she had cancer, i met her and know of two girls she set off on a great exploration of science and space.
Ride Sally Ride
Godspeed Sally.
http://spaceweather.com/
See the ISS fly over..click on "flybys"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49eI_IaUlM
http://youtu.be/l8_FqJcFRas
You were a pioneer Sally.... Rest in Peace..
As for MSNBC, the fact that Sally was a lesbian is absolutely unremarkable. Her orientation is implied in the article, there is no need to emblazon it in the title like she was some kind of criminal.
Her orientation is no more important than the fact that she had longish brown hair.
How about instead put "a PhD in Physics" in the title.
[Actually - I recollect seeing someone - maybe it was her - floating around weightless with their hair waving around. Very Cool!!]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPZ30AN1OmU&feature=related
Sally "a lesbian" is that necessary?
Would you say Mitt Romney, a heterosexual, refuses to release more tax returns?
Michelle Bachmann accuses Huma Abedin, a straight, of working for muslim brotherhood?
Agree ... but ...
She most likely discussed this with her partner before her death.
It is important to make sure that people have a positive impression of LGBT, and most cannot come out of the closet until after they pass because of bigotry involving family members and employment.
I think this is an appropriate epitaph.
Sally Ride left the world a better place for having shared it with us.
Perhaps the world will be a better place when people feel more free to choose the lifestyle that makes them happiest someday.
While I agree with everything you're saying to me it just has me thinking about whether we need to say she or anyone else is gay or not....that it is somehow important.....
I mean think about it we wouldn't say Ed's(straight) Playbook would we? So it's like why does it matter if she was gay....does that really need to be introduced in the way it was titled? I have no problem talking about her sexuality and relationships when discussing her life, I mean how could you not? But I feel that the way they put it in the title was a little stupid.
Think about if it was Mitt Romney refuses to find a spine, would we need to say Mitt Romney, a mormon, refuses to find spine? No, right because his being morman is true but has nothing to do with issue
I agree with Ron-NY and Cynical and maphi that her accomplishments and her legacy say much more about her than her sexual orientation. It didn't change anything about what history she made.
Why the hell should Sally Ride's choice of a bed partner matter one damn bit?! What went on in her bedroom is NONE of our damn business! And that especially goes for the religious fundamental-idiots!
What is relevant in regards to her sexual orientation is that she had to keep it a secret......RIP, Dr. Ride.
Wow I had no idea she had cancer.
Her sexual orientation needs to be there because it's just as much a part of her life as the fact that she was a woman, LGBT people and kids most of all need to have role models and heroes who are like them too and reporting on this combats homophobia as well. But a lot of these people questioning why it's important wouldn't understand, most likely they'd rather gay, lesbian, bi and trans people would remain some of the only invisible groups in our diverse culture. Heterosexual privilege. Thanks Ed for spreading knowledge :)
ERR....wrong. What does being a lesbian have to do with her accomplishment? If that is the case then if someone is straight that should also be mentioned and refferenced in whatever they accomplish, that's only fair. If we have to point out someone's sexuality if they are gay why don't we have to point out someone's bed preferences if straight?
If we have to point out gay people's sexuality in the title of everything relating to them at all times then we need to also point out heterosexuals for sexuality at all times. Straights and gays are entitled to the same treatment. No problem with that in her biography if it's true it should be there but it is not important enough to point it out like she's infamous criminal or something. The title the Ed Show staff chose is a bit disrespectful in my opinion.
If it's none of our business if they're straight why should it be any our business if they're gay? Guess thinking that like someone's race, sexuality is really not that important and should not be this ultra defining part of someone's character as a human being means you think all gay people should hide in fear in your mind. But sorry you're wrong. It's about treating everyone equally not pointing out people just for being different.
The world is better for having known Sally Ride.
May peace be with you.
Incredibly sad that this true American hero could not legally marry her partner of 27 years. I guess the Defense of Marriage Act protected us from all from the terrible threat of allowing these two amazing women to publicly acknowledge their love for each other. Dr. O'Shaughnessy will not receive any benefits a heterosexual spouse would get automatically. Shame.
Ditto.
Sally Ride was an American hero...that is what the headline needed to say.
just saying...
RIP Dr. Ride, thank your for your service to the space program. You will be missed. You were an inspiration to many people.
Thanks for all you did to inspire young women to enter the space program Sally. You were truly an American icon. RIP.
Today 115 years ago another great women pioneer was born and her life too was cut short.
Amelia Earhart.
Great woman and sorry for the loss we have at such an early age.
K.D Lang - Constant Craving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABYJo53mHHQ
My jaw literally dropped when I read the article's title. Really disappointing msnbc that her sexual orientation had to be emblazoned like that in an attempt of shock and awe and basically overshadow all of the other accomplishments this amazing woman had done. Like someone else said, the fact that it said "her partner of 27 years", pretty much said all that needed to be said. The article could have been done another more tastefull way, I suppose, but all in all it wasn't necessary.
All that need be said is she was a true trailblazer.
Really? Was it REALLY necessary state that she was a lesbian? What does that have to do with anything? I've never seen a death anouncement stating that someone who died was a heterosexual. RIP Sally.
The reason why it's important, and why you, as heterosexuals, don't get it, is not about her, but what it means to others, particularly to young people.
As straight people, you didn't endure the ridicule and hopelessness that so many gay kids experience, at least not at the same level and not for the same reasons. So much despair, that they lose hope. Gay teenagers are 5 times more likely to commit suicide.
When you're a kid, you look for role models -- someone who thinks, looks, acts, and has ideals like you. But with a society that tells you everyday that you are not like everyone else, and peers torment you because you are different, you have trouble finding a role model that you perceive is like you.
The fact that Sally was a lesbian had little significance to her becoming great. But the that fact that she was a lesbian and became a great person is of great historical significance to teach young, gay people that you can become great. Being gay is not the significant factor to achieving a good and properous life.
If kids learn that some of those same great people are, in fact, just like them, then they will realize that it does get better. Eventually, they will find themselves, grow up, and become a thriving and beneficial part of our society.
Perhaps even a remarkable one.