RIP, Sally Ride

“All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.”

As you’ve probably heard, Sally Ride passed away yesterday at the age of 61 due to pancreatic cancer. Ride was not only the first U.S. woman to enter space, but the first LGBT American (she actually came out in her obituary) and the youngest astronaut to enter space at the time. “Groundbreaker” almost seems like an understatement.

She was also a staunch advocate for girls’ and women’s involvement in science, setting up programs across the country to urge girls to get involved in STEM. She is survived by her childhood friend turned partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy, her mother Joyce and her sister Ms. Scott, who is known as Bear.

We wish Ride had more time in this world to continue her work who has meant so much to so many, but her legacy of will no doubt extend far beyond her life — as well as ours.

Pic via.