Sally Ride Barbie – Inspiring Women Series, 2019
This Barbie doll from the Inspiring Women Series honors astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. On June 18, 1983, she flew aboard the space shuttle Challenger STS-7 as the flight engineer on a week-long mission that earned her a place in history. She traveled back into space aboard Challenger for the STS-41G mission in October 1984.
Sally Ride is remembered for much more than her history making flights into space. Throughout her life, she worked to break down barriers and ensure that girls and women were encouraged to do the same.
After her time as an astronaut, Ride taught physics at the University of California, San Diego and became Director of the California Space Institute. She was a member of the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology, a member of the National Research Council’s Space Studies Board, served on the Advisory Board of the National Women’s History Museum as well as the boards of the Aerospace Corporation and the California Institute of Technology. She also received numerous honors and awards, including induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, to name a few.
As an advocate for improved science education, Ride co-wrote seven children’s science books about space, and created NASA education programs to inspire students to engage in science and pursue an interest in STEM careers. She cofounded Sally Ride Science in 2001 to further that goal, a nonprofit organization that encourages children of all ages and backgrounds to engage in STEM, but especially girls and young women.
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