The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, has died at 61. Her company, Sally Ride Science, wrote: “ Sally’s historic flight into space captured the nation’s imagination and made her a household name. She became a symbol of the ability of women...

The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, has died at 61.

Her company, Sally Ride Science, wrote:

Sally’s historic flight into space captured the nation’s imagination and made her a household name. She became a symbol of the ability of women to break barriers and a hero to generations of adventurous young girls. After retiring from NASA, Sally used her high profile to champion a cause she believed in passionately—inspiring young people, especially girls, to stick with their interest in science, to become scientifically literate, and to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering.

(2010 photo by H. Darr Beiser / USA TODAY)