Sally Ride was an American astronaut and physicist, born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. She made history on June 18, 1983, when she became the first American woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Ride's mission lasted six days, during which she conducted scientific experiments and contributed to the understanding of space travel. In addition to her achievements as an astronaut, Sally Ride was a strong advocate for science education, particularly for girls. She co-founded Sally Ride Science, an organization aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Ride passed away on July 23, 2012, but her legacy continues to inspire future generations.