2-839-754 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal awarded to Sally Ride, 1987. This NASA Outstanding Leadership medal and its accessories were awarded to Dr. Sally K. Ride on August 13, 1987. It is one of the most prestigious awards given by NASA, and it recognizes exceptional ability in leading people, achieving results, influencing change, and being a role model. Ride announced her retirement from NASA several months prior to recieving the award, and she left in September. Notably, in 1987 she also led the task force that produced a visionary strategic planning report in 1987 titled, “NASA Leadership and America’s Future in Space,” known popularly as the Ride Report. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space when she flew aboard STS-7 in 1983.