Sally Ride: Breaking Barriers and Defying Gravity

Showcases the life of the first American woman in space, from her childhood, to her accomplishments as a tennis star, and her pioneering achievements as an astronaut and science educator.

Explore Sally Ride’s life and contributions and understand the historical context of landmark events, movements, and women who paved the way for her success. Ride’s groundbreaking achievement represented a moment of triumph in an ongoing struggle for gender equality propelled by pivotal events such as the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement advocating for equal rights for all individuals, and the enactment of Title IX in 1972 ensuring gender equity in education. Written for students of American and women’s history, this examination of Ride’s life places each milestone in its historical context. This illuminates not only the world she lived in, but also her enduring significance to the contemporary challenges women and LGBTQ+ people continue to face in their efforts to pursue careers in STEM. A detailed chronology, curated sidebars throughout, chronological sequencing, and primary source documents make this a singular and necessary first-stop reference resource on Ride’s life and work.

Jackie Pérez is a nuclear engineer turned writer and filmmaker in Washington D.C. After graduating MIT she joined the Navy, serving her country and collecting experiences across the globe which inform her point of view. She also holds an MFA in Television and Screenwriting from Stephens College.