Know Your Scientist: Sally Ride

It"s no secret that the astrophysics field (one that is very near and dear to everyone on our team) is mostly a male dominated profession. Einstein, Sagan, Hawking, Tyson, Krauss, Hadfield, Armstrong, and Cox are all names that any of our fans should immediately recognize. They are constantly quoted, interviewed, studied, and praised. While there is no doubt that they are worthy of the recognition they receive, sometimes we forget about the other faces behind the glass -- people that are constantly reaching new heights as they aim for the stars.

Now, if you"ll notice: None of the names listed above belong to a female. In fact, I have a difficult time thinking of a single woman that can command the same level of respect and admiration as the men listed above. Of course, that"s not to say that they don"t exist, but they are rarely heard from. The sad truth is, many people perceive science as a mostly male endeavor. So I would like to take this opportunity to take a look at one of the brilliant women who made a lasting contribution to this field.

Sally Ride was the first American woman to leave this planet in pursuit of understanding something beyond the bounds of Earth. Sadly, she passed away in 2012 after 17 brave months battling pancreatic cancer. This is truly a heartbreaking article to write because, as a female who hopes to achieve just an ounce of the success that this woman accomplished over the course of her life, I look up to Sally Ride with admiration for the grace that she portrayed and envy for the things she experienced and achieved.

To learn about all her accomplishments, see:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/know-your-scientist-sally-ride/

Image source:
http://mashable.com/2013/06/18/sally-ride-quotes/