In Cristina Costantini’s documentary SALLY, there’s a poignant moment where Sally Ride’s calm, thoughtful voice narrates over breathtaking images of Earth from space. She describes the planet’s horizon: “You can look at Earth’s horizon and see this really, really thin royal blue line, and then you realize it’s Earth’s atmosphere, and that that’s all there is of it. It’s about as thick as the fuzz on a tennis ball.” Sally Ride’s words, spoken as she reflects on her time in space, go beyond describing the view of Earth. They also offer insight into her unique perspective on the world—one shaped by both science and personal experiences. Ride, a physicist, an astronaut, and a tennis player, understood firsthand that the boundaries and limits we place on ourselves, and each other, are often meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
Sally Ride’s legacy as the first American woman in space remains a powerful symbol of breaking barriers, but it’s important to understand the obstacles she faced along the way. When she made history in 1983, America’s space program was still deeply entrenched in sexist attitudes. While male astronauts were hailed as heroes, women were treated as a novelty or curiosity. In SALLY, Costantini highlights the absurd questions Ride faced during her early days in the space program. One astronaut, Gordon Cooper, even joked that a woman could have replaced the chimpanzee on an early mission. At one point, reporters wondered if Ride cried under pressure or worried about how space travel might affect her reproductive organs. And perhaps the most infamous incident came when NASA engineers, unsure of what a woman might need on a week-long mission, packed a makeup kit and 100 tampons—“just in case.” These moments, captured in SALLY, are not only cringeworthy, but they also demonstrate just how ill-prepared America was for a woman in space and the relentless fight Ride had to wage to be treated as an equal.
The documentary also sheds light on Ride’s relationship with fellow astronaut Judith Resnik, the only other woman in her astronaut class. The media eagerly pitted the two against each other, seeing them as competitors in a race where only one woman could succeed. While Resnik was outgoing and charismatic, Ride was more reserved and introspective. The press and some colleagues tried to paint a picture of rivalry, but the reality was far more complex. In a field dominated by men, Ride had to prove herself—again and again. But even in the face of such intense pressure, she carried a hidden part of herself that very few people knew about.
The true heart of SALLY comes from its exploration of Ride’s private life, particularly her relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years. Through candid interviews with O’Shaughnessy, we learn about the love story that was kept largely out of the public eye during Ride’s lifetime. Ride and O’Shaughnessy met as teenagers in the Southern California tennis scene, and what began as a friendship eventually blossomed into a deep, enduring love. However, in the public eye, Ride was often forced to conceal her love life due to the societal expectations of the time. In an era where LGBTQ+ relationships were far from accepted, Ride lived much of her life in the shadows, her love for O’Shaughnessy a quiet rebellion against the constraints imposed on her.
What makes SALLY so compelling is its refusal to reduce Ride to a single narrative. Yes, she was a groundbreaking scientist, an astronaut, and an iconic figure in history, but she was also so much more than that. She was a passionate tennis player, a brilliant physicist, and a teacher who dedicated her life to inspiring others. Yet, she was also a private person who, like so many, was shaped by her struggles and her triumphs. Ride’s story is not just about breaking barriers in space; it’s about breaking barriers in how we view ourselves and each other.
In many ways, Ride’s life was influenced by other great women, like tennis legend Billie Jean King. Ride, an avid tennis player in her youth, admired King not just for her athleticism, but for her ability to challenge the norms and fight for equality. King’s struggle for equal pay in the world of tennis mirrored Ride’s own fight for equality within NASA and in the male-dominated world of space exploration. Both women refused to let the restrictions placed on them define their lives.
The documentary’s emotional core lies in the contrast between the public image of Sally Ride as a trailblazer in space and the private life she led behind closed doors. Ride was a reluctant symbol of women’s advancement in space, forced to navigate the complexities of being the first American woman to travel into space. The film also delves into how the public often viewed her through a lens of limitation, labeling her as “the woman astronaut” rather than recognizing her as a brilliant mind in her own right. Ride’s quiet defiance of these labels, however, was one of the most powerful parts of her story. She never sought out fame or attention; instead, she focused on the work she loved, even as society made it clear that women were often treated as outsiders in these fields.
SALLY explores the many facets of Ride’s character, presenting her not only as a scientist and astronaut but also as a woman who loved tennis, physics, space, and, quietly, another woman named Tam. Through archival footage and new interviews, Costantini carefully peels back the layers of Ride’s life, revealing a woman who constantly challenged expectations, both in her professional achievements and her personal relationships. She redefined what it meant to break barriers, teaching us that progress is often fragile but, when viewed from the right perspective, can lead to limitless possibilities.
Another significant aspect of SALLY is how it tackles the question of whether women can “have it all.” This is a question that has long plagued women in both public and private spheres: Can we have successful careers, happy families, and personal fulfillment? Women are constantly expected to balance multiple roles, while men are often not subjected to the same scrutiny. Ride’s story, however, suggests that asking whether women can “have it all” misses the point entirely. Ride didn’t ask for permission. She simply did what she loved, even when the world didn’t think it was possible. She became the first American woman in space, fought for the rights of her fellow astronauts, and in doing so, secured a place in history that is still celebrated today.
Ride’s life was a delicate balance of public and private, of success and sacrifice. Her quiet love story with O’Shaughnessy was a testament to the strength of their bond, even when they had to hide it from the world. And while Ride may not have been able to “love freely” in the way that some might expect, she still had it all in her own way. Her accomplishments in space, her passion for physics, and her dedication to her partner, all coalesced into a life that was as extraordinary as it was private.
Through SALLY, Cristina Costantini offers us a window into the life of a woman who saw the universe up close and, in doing so, redefined what it means to break barriers. Sally Ride’s story is not just one of historical firsts, but one of resilience, quiet defiance, and a commitment to excellence. It’s a story of a woman who didn’t need to ask for permission—she simply forged her own path, and in doing so, she became a symbol of what it means to love, to break barriers, and to change the world.
In the end, SALLY is a documentary that highlights the complexities of being both a trailblazer and a private individual. It reminds us that true progress is not always visible on the surface, and that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that are told in whispers, behind closed doors, and in the quiet moments that define us. Sally Ride’s life was a testament to this truth, and SALLY tells it with the nuance, care, and respect that her legacy deserves.
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