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Astronaut Sally Ride Passes Away.
NBC Nightly News (7/23, story 6, 2:00, Williams) broadcasted on the death of astronaut Sally Ride from pancreatic cancer, describing her as "a trail blazer, an icon to school children of the generation" for being the first American woman in space. Reporter Rehema Ellis said, "Even after she left NASA she never gave up on her mission to inspire young people, especially young girls. Recently, during NBC's Education Nation summit Ride talked about encouraging women to study science and math." Reporter Robert Bazell added, "Sally Ride was an extraordinarily intelligent and dedicated person and you could say that about any astronaut. She had to be even more so to get into this exclusively men's club, mostly fighter pilots, very macho culture."
ABC World News (7/23, story 10, 2:05, Sawyer) noted reporter Linsey Davis said, "She went on to inspire women to consider careers in science. Her example alone encouraged women everywhere to shoot for the moon."
CBS Evening News (7/23, story 8, 1:40, Pelley) added reporter Seth Doane said, "Today President Obama called Sally Ride a national hero and a role model."
The AP (7/24) reports NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said Ride "broke barriers with grace and professionalism -- and literally changed the face of America's space program" and the US "has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers."
According to USA Today (7/24, Vergano), Ride took part in several reviews of the space program including the most recent one in 2009. Historian Roger Launius said, "She was on the short list of many administrations to head NASA, but she never pursued that track. She could have. She was always more interested in education."
The Los Angeles Times (7/24, Noland) "LA Now" blog reports NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver said, "Sally was a personal and professional role model to me and thousands of women around the world...Her spirit and determination will continue to be an inspiration for women everywhere."
The Houston Chronicle (7/24, Berger) reports Peggy Whitson, chief of the astronaut office, said, "The selection of the 1978 Astronaut Class that included Sally and several other women, had a huge impact on my dream to become an astronaut. ... The success of those women, with Sally paving the way, made my dream seem one step closer to becoming a reality."
The ABC News (7/24, Potter) website notes "members of Congress, fellow astronauts and close friends offered tributes" during the day.
AFP (7/24) reports other officials giving statements included presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
Also covering the story are Time (7/24, Kluger), the Wall Street Journal (7/24, A6, Miller, Subscription Publication), New York Times (7/24, A1, Grady, Subscription Publication), a separate Los Angeles Times (7/24, Soon-Shiong) "Science Now" blog post, USA Today (7/24, Winter) "On Deadline" blog, Florida Today (7/24, Halvorson), U-T San Diego (7/24, Robbins), Huntsville (AL) Times (7/24, Roop) "Space News" blog, New York Daily News (7/24, Hutchinson), New York Post (7/24, Li), Christian Science Monitor (7/24, O'Carroll), National Journal (7/24, Chamberlain, Subscription Publication), and other media sources.
