The untimely passing of Dr. Sally Ride, the first female astronaut in space, as well as a renowned teacher, mentor, and scientist, struck a chord with many Americans this week.
Those of us fortunate enough to have been able to witness that memorable shuttle mission in 1983, will not forget the thrill of seeing a woman achieve so much. Dr. Ride’s contributions through her service to this country as an astronaut and educator can never be truly measured. Those who break barriers are priceless in our society, opening doors for untold thousands who follow in their footsteps.
But we now know that there was another, equally important, side to Dr. Ride. She was a lesbian who had a committed partner of over 27 years.
This article appears in Jul 19-25, 2012.