Dr. Sally Ride is featured on the second coin released in this program.

The first American woman to soar into space, Ride captured the Nation’s imagination as a symbol of the ability of women to shatter barriers. Her historic flight represented just one aspect of a remarkable and multi-faceted life.

She was also an athlete, physicist, science writer, and inspirational leader in science education. When she blasted off aboard space shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983, Ride became the first American woman in space.

The reverse (tails) design depicts Ride next to a window on the space shuttle, inspired by her quote, “But when I wasn’t working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.” It was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Elana Hagler and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill. The inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is intentionally positioned over the Earth next to the U.S., indicating that Ride was the first American woman in space. Additional inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” and “DR. SALLY RIDE.”