Just the other day we were saying that “It takes cojones to strap yourself to a thirty-six story tall explosive device and ride it literally off the planet.” Well, Dr. Sally Kristen Ride had them. She died today at age 61.
The first American woman in space (it took us a shamefully long time to do that, twenty years longer than it took the Soviets), she used her high profile after her historic spaceflight and Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University to found Sally Ride Science to inspire young people, particularly girls, to pursue careers in the sciences. Dr. Ride died today, we are told peacefully. She is survived by her partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy, her mother, and her sister. The League sends its best wishes and condolences to her family, and our admiration in remembrance of a woman who was an ornament to her nation.
Burt Likko is the pseudonym of an attorney in Southern California. His interests include Constitutional law with a special interest in law relating to the concept of separation of church and state, cooking, good wine, and bad science fiction movies. Follow his sporadic Tweets at @burtlikko, and his Flipboard at Burt Likko.
RIP indeed.Report
If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.Report
You know how people would respond if Obama said that.
RIPReport
No I don’t, why don’t you tell us. All I know is that that Barry would have used a teleprompter.Report
Really? I don’t expect to get a lot of comments on a eulogy post, but… There’s still two active threads going to discuss that particular outrage-of-the-week.
Stay classy, fellas.Report
I plead innocent. I was just trying to be poetic!Report
You’re correct burt…i was out of line, especially on a RIP post.Report
Cheers, greginak.Report
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.Report
And evidently her partner of 27 years is ineligible for benefits…
That strikes me as the largest tragedy in that whole thing.Report
And now you’ve made me cry. God(ess)damnit Nob.Report
I had had no idea she was a lesbian until I heard a more detailed obit on NPR this morning. I am wary of using someone’s death to make political points, but it does seem awfully sad to know that her partner will receive nothing after Dr. Ride’s historic, courageous service to the nation.Report
[sarcasm] See, I told you. All these gay rights people want is benefits. [/sarcasm]Report
Your post reminded me of something Francis Bacon wrote:
“I hold every man a debtor to his profession; from the which as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavor themselves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereunto.”
Dr. Ride was an ornament, not only to our nation, but to scientists and science worldwide.Report