The godmother of Carnival Cruise Lines 2,974-guest Carnival Glory, Dr. Sally Ride, passed away today at the age of 61, of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Sally Ride had many accomplishments to her name, with the most memorable in 1983, being the first American woman in outer space.  She was an accomplished author, professor and children’s advocate for science in the classroom.

Dr. Ride christened the 110,00-ton Carnival Glory in 2003, at the time Carnival’s largest cruise ship based in Port Canaveral.

NPR reports she passed in La Jolla, California earlier today.

Thoughts and prayers to her family.

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