Sally Ride died today – the first American woman in space. As the saying goes, she now belongs to the ages. Sally flew two missions on the shuttle Challenger and later started a foundation to encourage girls to pursue science and math.
Sally was not the first woman in space – that honor belonged to Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova – gotta love the name. Of course, “Mustang Sally” recorded by Wilson Pickett in 1966 included words often quoted during those Challenger flights – “Ride, Sally, ride” so Sally held her own in the “great name” department.
I always looked up to astronauts – both literally and figuratively – after all when in orbit they COULD put their pants on, both legs at the same time. Seriously, though, they’re real heroes, and we can never have too many of those.
So best wishes on your final journey, Sally. May you find your way, and may your example and your efforts help many other young women and girls to follow your example and your dreams.
