Public Is Invited To Attend The Event For Free

NASA and Sally Ride Science are inviting the general public to "Sally Ride: A Lifetime of Accomplishment, A Champion of Science Literacy," an educational tribute to America's first woman in space on Monday, May 20. The special event will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C. The celebration will highlight Ride's contributions and her legacies. These include her long-time focus on education, and her passion for inspiring girls and under-represented minority students to become scientifically literate and consider pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The tribute will include the talents of Patti Austin, Damian Kulash of the band OK Go, Maria Shriver, Emil de Cou and Billie Jean King, with music by Tena Clark and choreography by Twyla Tharp. Talented students who will perform include the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, the Centreville High School Choral Union from Virginia and dancers from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA Associate Administrator for Education Leland  Melvin and former astronaut Pam Melroy will be among those speaking about Ride's lifetime accomplishments. The tribute is presented and sponsored by Sally Ride Science.

A limited number of tickets is available for the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and Sally Ride Science are hosting a panel discussion as a salute to Women in Science.  "Sally Ride: How Her Historic Mission Opened Doors for Women in Science" will be held in the museum's Moving Beyond Earth gallery at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17. The panel will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's website. The panel includes NASA Johnson Space Center Director and former astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Dan Vergano of USA Today, Rene McCormick of the National Math and Science Initiative, and National Air and Space Museum curator Margaret Weitekamp. The discussion is hosted by NBC News' Tom Costello.

FMI: http://go.nasa.gov/Ocn6h7, www.sallyridescience.com