Sally ride 2012 7 23

Appears In:

Sally Ride, first American woman in space, dies from cancer aged 61

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, died earlier today. She was 61.

Sally Ride, first American female astronaut, was gay

Sally Ride, first American female astronaut, comes out in an obituary.

President Barack Obama greets former astronaut Sally Ride after speaking on the expansion of his 'Educate to Innovate' initiative on September 16, 2010 in Washington, DC.

MANDEL NGAN

AFP/Getty Images