In an interview with Windy City Times this week, Dr. Tam O’Shaughnessy opened up about her relationship with the first American woman in space.
As the first American woman in space, astronaut Sally Ride lived her life in the public eye. It wasn't until after her death this year that we learned she shared her life with her partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, for nearly 27 years.
Nasa / Reuters
Ride's obituary simply stated that she was "survived by Tam O’Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years.”
President Obama presented O'Shaughnessy with the Presidential Medal of Freedom this November. O'Shaughnessy was one of the first people to accept the award on behalf of a deceased same-sex partner.
Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press / MCT
In an interview this week, O'Shaughnessy opened up about her experiences with Sally Ride as childhood friends, business partners, and eventually a devoted couple.
They met, around the age of twelve, while playing tennis.
Ride is pictured on the far left.