2-839-759 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Key to the City of Los Angeles, presented to Sally Ride, 1984. Brass key presented to Dr. Sally K. Ride in October 1984 by Mayor Tom Bradley. During the ceremony, Bradley said, "Sally Ride represents more than just the first woman in space, she is a symbol for young girls and woman all over the world that here in America this kind of opportunity is possible." Ride was born and raised in Los Angeles, and in response to recieving the award she said, "I have received quite a few keys to quite a few cities that I am not quite familiar with so it is a real honor to get the key to the city I still consider home." Sally Ride became the first American woman in space when she flew aboard STS-7 in 1983.