An article posted on the Ms. Magazine Blog, Nov. 4, 2014In the recently published biography, Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space, Lynn Sherr fills out the story of this American hero, who worked tirelessly during her lifetime to encourage girls and boys to stick with their interests in science and to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Ride also fiercely guarded her privacy, because she worried that coming out would jeopardize her ability to do good in the world.
Ride’s life partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy, cofounded Sally Ride Science [and serves as its CEO]. Their goal was to inspire young people, especially girls, to love science and to feel they belonged in the field. Together, O’Shaughnessy and Ride authored six books, including Exploring Our Solar System, Mission Planet Earth: Our World and Its Climate—and How Humans are Changing Them, and Mission: Save the Planet.