Soaring as One

The fifth annual Women in Aeronautics and Aerospace at the University of Michigan Women in Aerospace Conference was dedicated to the life and legacy of Sally Ride. As the first American woman in Space, Sally Ride sought to break the barrier for women in aerospace. Beyond her time in space, Sally also worked tirelessly to increase access to K-12 STEM education for young girls. Our theme, Soaring as One, hopes to inspire women in the aerospace industry to build up others and advocate for themselves and others as Sally Ride once did, in the hopes of a future where every person feels empowered to reach for the moon and beyond. 

Soaring as a Community

When Sally Ride became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983, she didn’t do so alone—she was part of a crew of five, with an additional support crew of six, not to mention the countless NASA engineers and employers supporting the seventh space shuttle mission, proving that nothing worth doing in aerospace is done alone.

Soaring as Leaders

Sally Ride has inspired a generation of leaders within and beyond the aerospace industry. She stands as an icon of persistence, determination, and grit: in her own words, “The best advice I can give anybody is to try to understand who you are and what you want to do, and . . . do whatever it takes and work as hard as you have to work to achieve that.”

Soaring Forever

While Sally Ride sought to break barriers and disrupt the system, she also worked to create space for younger generations of women in aerospace to thrive. Her organization, Sally Ride Science, and her leadership influence still stand today as a way for others to soar forever.

About Sally

Sally Ride was a pioneering American astronaut and physicist, renowned for breaking barriers as the first American woman to journey into space. Her historic flight took place on June 18, 1983, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, marking a significant milestone in space exploration and gender equality. Ride's accomplishments extended beyond her groundbreaking spaceflight; she was also a mission specialist on a second Challenger flight in 1984. Her expertise in physics and engineering was crucial in developing the shuttle's robotic arm, which she operated during her missions.

After retiring from NASA in 1987, Ride dedicated herself to education and advocacy, co-founding Sally Ride Science in 2001. This organization aimed to inspire young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Through her books, lectures, and outreach programs, she worked tirelessly to promote STEM education and support the next generation of scientists and explorers. Ride's legacy is one of courage, innovation, and a relentless commitment to breaking down barriers and inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.