Sally Ride, the first US woman in space, dies aged 61
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18963939

Sally Ride, the first US woman to travel into space, has died aged 61 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, her foundation announced.

WOAH!!!
Far too young, far too soon.
Your hand brought all of us closer to heaven.
Your courage defeated oppressive titles and label.
Your story is our story and with your name something beautiful remains.

Very nice Saquist.

That's my favorite picture of her.

By the way, Dr. Mae Jamison, the first black woman in space (STS-47), appeared as a lieutenant JG on the Enterprise-D in a cameo in TNG.

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Mae_Jemison

Frankly I don't think that banner belongs here.
It's like you brought a picket sign for gay rights to a woman's wake. I think that's tasteless and classless. It wasn't even followed by intelligent and articulate reasoning. Everything has it's appropriate place and time and I fail to see how this banner could possibly serve to commemorate her contributions to something we can all respect which was her professionalism in a courageous endeavor risking her life to advance all of mankind in knowledge and understanding. When I say she was courageous I'm not sure many understand what that means. Ride was on the Challenger Disaster committee. She showed support for those who opposed a stubborn conservative culture that was and still is NASA. This, even before NASA would yet again commit another incredibly heinous act of negligence by disregarding engineering concerns of impacts on the space craft.

Sally Ride understood that privacy and sanctity were the same. Few knew about her battle with cancer or her sexual life. In order for different views to co-exist respecting the culture of others is just as paramount as respecting our rights as individuals. That's the difference between peaceful protest and riots, between million man marches and indecent parades, between Martin and Malcolm, diplomacy and war. It's too bad she didn't decide to speak on behalf of Gays and Lesbians because I think she could have really have represented them and negotiated with some much needed class and respect.

I saw that earlier, RIP Sally.

I agree Saquist, for contrast though here's someone with a different opinion.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/...y-matters.html

Agreed.

Up until this time, I didn't even know she was lesbian. Not that it affected my view of her at all....as stated, she broke a lot of boundaries with her courage and dedication as an astronaut.

Can we please NOT have some goddamned agenda pushing bull**** when one is trying to respect the woman's accomplishments as an astronaut?!

Completely classless and tasteless. (Kinda like Star Trek Phase II lately with its agenda pushing.)

Exactly the point.

What's the bull---- here and how is Phase II classless or tasteless?