Sally Ride, who made history in 1983 when she became the first
American woman to enter space, died Monday (23 July) of
pancreatic cancer. Ride was 61 and had been battling the cancer
for 17 months. She had flown into orbit aboard the space shuttle
Challenger then took a second trip aboard the same shuttle one
year later. 'Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless
energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment and love.
Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her
approach to life was fearless,' read a statement on the website
of Sally Ride Science, a company she started to help teach
students -- particularly young women and girls -- about science,
math and technology. Ride is survived by her partner of 27
years, Dr. Tam E. O'Shaughnessy. The two women had first met
when both were aspiring tennis players. O'Shaugnessy became a
science teacher and writer who co-authored several books with
Ride. She was also chief operating officer and executive vice
president of Ride's company, S