WHAT:              Sally Ride: How Her Historic Space Mission Opened Doors for Women in Science

WHEN:              Friday, May 17, 10 a.m. to noon

WHERE:            Moving Beyond Earth gallery , Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
                           Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W.

WHO:                 Margaret Weitekamp, space history curator, National Air and Space Museum
                          Tom Costello, NBC News
                          Dan Vergano, USA Today
                          Ellen Ochoa, director, NASA Johnson Space Center
                          Rene McCormick, director of standards and quality, National Math and Science Initiative
                          Linda Billings, research professor, Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University

In a panel program at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, prominent journalists, leading scholars and path-breaking women in science and aerospace will talk about the accomplishments of America’s first woman astronaut in space, Sally Ride.

The conversation will center on Ride’s historic mission and how she opened doors for more women to enter the space program and science careers. Panelists will discuss how the Space Shuttle Program included a more diverse astronaut corps, including the first women and minority NASA astronauts.  From there, the panel will look to the future of women in science, starting with a discussion of Ride’s vision of inspiring more students—especially girls—to pursue careers in science and her impact on STEM education.

Support for this program is provided by Sally Ride Science.

Interested media must RSVP to larai@si.edu or mitchellac@si.edu.