A life that soared

A life that soared

In reviewing Sally Ride’s education and professional career, it would be easy to assume one was talking about five or six people, not one. She held degrees in physics, astrophysics, English and engineering. She could fly a jet airplane and she helped develop a robotic arm for the space shuttle. All this was while she was in her early 30s.
Oh, and there was her career as the first American woman in space with NASA.
Ride died Monday in San Diego. She was only 61 and had suffered from pancreatic cancer. Her shortened life was one of breathtaking accomplishment in which she overcame sometimes insulting questions about special problems she might have in space as a woman (before her two shuttle flights) and sexism.

But she was a success as an astronaut, rightly aware that her accomplishments gave all young women a few extra degrees of horizon.
Her career as an astronaut began when she saw that NASA was accepting applications. By 1983, she was chosen for her first shuttle mission on the Challenger and flew again the following year. Her plans to go up again were of course canceled with the explosion of the Challenger in 1986.
Ride played a prominent role on the investigation committee appointed by President Reagan to look into the disaster. She asked some of the toughest questions.
But Sally Ride wasn’t through. She formed a company to encourage science education and had a distinguished career as a university professor.
Ride’s life and career reflected not just brilliance of mind but courage of heart. Her legacy stands as one that could inspire all young people, not just girls and young women but any youngsters with hopes and dreams and drive. It’s hard to imagine a better life’s goal than to “be like Sally Ride.”