The White House announced the award to Dr. Ride on August 8, 2013, stating: “As a role model to generations of young women, she advocated passionately for science education, stood up for racial and gender equality in the classroom, and taught students from every background that there are no limits to what they can accomplish.”
“Sally’s life is an inspiration for people everywhere,” said Sheryle Bolton, CEO of Sally Ride Science. “Her legacy lives on, both in the hearts and minds of young people considering careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, and among the educators we’ve trained and are training today at Sally Ride Science. Those educators want to give all students the tools and support they need to realize their 21st Century career goals – to ‘reach for the stars’ as Sally so aptly used to say.”
Dr. Ride is among sixteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor. This year’s award honorees included: former President Bill Clinton, feminist writer and social activist Gloria Steinem, former Washington Post Executive Editor Ben Bradlee, Senator Daniel Inouye (posthumous), and Oprah Winfrey.
The Medal is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
About Sally Ride Science
Sally Ride Science provides college and career readiness training and tools to build students’ passion for STEM fields and careers. Dr. Sally Ride, America’s first woman astronaut in space, founded the company to bring science to life for upper-elementary and middle school students, offering professional development via the Sally Ride Science Academy, which shows educators how to incorporate engaging career-focused approaches into their existing instruction. Additionally, Sally Ride Science administers the Sally Ride EarthKAM, a unique NASA-backed educational outreach program enabling students, teachers, and the public to learn about Earth from the unique perspective of space.