The first American woman in space was Sally Ride. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983, during the STS-7 mission. Sally Ride became a notable figure not only for her achievements in space travel but also for promoting women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her historic flight lasted about six days, during which she helped deploy satellites and conducted experiments. Sally Ride's legacy continues to inspire many young girls and women to pursue careers in space exploration and scientific fields.