NASA Honors Sally Ride with a National Tribute at Kennedy Center

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May 14, 2013

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2191
allard...@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M13-072

NASA HONORS SALLY RIDE WITH A NATIONAL TRIBUTE AT KENNEDY CENTER

WASHINGTON -- NASA and Sally Ride Science are inviting the general
public and journalists 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, 2700 F
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., at 7 p.m. EDT.

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. To attend the free event, complete
this online RSVP Form by Wednesday, May 15. Please indicate if you
need wheelchair access. Tickets for those who RSVP will be available
at NASA's Will Call tables, which will be staffed in front of the
Concert Hall (in the Grand Foyer) from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Monday, May 20.

Reporters, who would like to cover the event, must contact Cynthia
Myers at Sally Ride Science at cindy.m...@gmail.com or at
415-378-0294 or Allard Beutel at NASA by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 17.

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.

Media interested in covering the panel discussion should contact
Cynthia Myers or Isabel Lara with National Air and Space Museum media
relations at 202-633-2374 or La...@si.edu.

For more information about Sally Ride, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/Ocn6h7

For more information about Sally Ride Science, visit:

http://www.sallyridescience.com

For more information about the Smithsonian National Air and Space
Museum, visit:

http://www.airandspace.si.edu

For NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

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