Google Doodle Honors Lesbian Astronaut Sally Ride

In honor of what would have been her 64th birthday, Google has unveiled a special "Behind the Doodle" animation video for trailblazing astronaut Sally Ride. The video includes commentary from her longtime partner Tam O'Shaughnessy.

The Washington Post reports that the California tech titan devotes a charming two-and-a-half-minute animated video not only to Ride's accomplishments, but also to how her Doodle was launched.

Artist Olivia Huynh narrates Ride's life from nationally ranked junior tennis player and Stanford doctoral student to the ad that would change the course and mission of her life: She was one of about 8,000 people who responded to the notice by applying to become an astronaut. In 1978, she joined NASA, where she would remain for nearly a decade, twice flying aboard the Challenger space shuttle.

On her first mission in 1983, Ride became the first American woman in space, the youngest person ever in space (age 32) and the first known LGBT person in space.

After NASA, Ride would join the UCSD faculty in 1989; become director of the University of California's California Space Institute; and in 2001, found the educational company Sally Ride Science. She was forever aiming to encourage the next generations to grow in math and the sciences.

Three years ago, Ride died of pancreatic cancer at age 61.

"As the first woman to launch into space, Sally Ride was a role model for generations of young women," UCSD chancellor Marye Anne Fox said. "She was the epitome of bravery and courage. She dedicated her life and career to advancing science and technology, and encouraging young students to reach for the stars."

"What has been missing in many programs around the country is diverse role models in science and engineering," O'Shaughnessy told the Los Angeles Times in February. O'Shaughnessy, Ride's longtime partner and leader of Sally Ride Science, wrote Google's blog post about today's Doodle.

When the video was posted, YouTube user Corey Mondello wrote about her longtime partner, noting that, "Sally Ride was the first LGBT astronaut and American woman in space. She risked her life for her country, and yet her domestic partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy will not get her government benefits after her death from pancreatic cancer at just 61 years old in July 2012. Is that any way to treat a hero? Shame!"