--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never went into physics or the…" description: "\"I never went into physics or the astronaut corps to become a role model. But after my first flight, it became clear to me that I was one. And I began t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b7/sally-ride-5884_ass_i-never-went-into-physics-or-the-astrona_1137055.jpg" --- # I never went into physics or the astronaut corps to become… ![“I never went into physics or the astronaut corps to become a role model. But after my first flight, it became clear to me that I was one. And I began to understand the importance of that to people. Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture…” quote by Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b7/sally-ride-5884_ass_i-never-went-into-physics-or-the-astrona_1137055.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b7/sally-ride-5884_ass_i-never-went-into-physics-or-the-astrona_1137055.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b7/sally-ride-5884_ass_i-never-went-into-physics-or-the-astrona_1137055.jpg) > “I never went into physics or the astronaut corps to become a role model. But after my first flight, it became clear to me that I was one. And I began to understand the importance of that to people. Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can't be what you can't see.” [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She realized she became a role model unintentionally, highlighting the power of representation for young girls in STEM fields. **In simple terms:** Seeing someone like you in a career inspires you to pursue it. Key Takeaway Be visible and supportive for future generations. Themes representation inspiration STEM gender equality Mood motivational empowering hopeful Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - school talks - media appearances - mentorship programs Key Concepts role modeling visibility empowerment Questions to Reflect On - What can institutions do to increase representation? - How can role models be supported? A Different Perspective Visibility alone may not address systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronaut/) [Bad ass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-ass/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Role model](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-model/) [Role models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-models/) [Young girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-girls/) ## Related quotes > [Very skinny girls were on the cover of magazines and that's what I was looking up to so that's what I had to idolize.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/very-skinny-girls-were-on-the-cover-of-magazines-and-that-s-what-i/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [There needs to be more variety on television so young girls growing up don't feel pressured to look one specific way. Tall, thin, curvy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/there-needs-to-be-more-variety-on-television-so-young-girls-growing/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [When you talk to young girls these days about their role modles, very few mention a chemist like Madame Curie or an astrophysicist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-talk-to-young-girls-these-days-about-their-role-modles-very/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you can feel that close to something you're used to seeing from this great distance, well, it changes a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/when-you-can-feel-that-close-to-something-you-re-used-to-seeing-from/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [Weightless is a great equalizer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/weightless-is-a-great-equalizer/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I suggest taking the high road and have a little sence of humour and let things roll off your back. I think that's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-suggest-taking-the-high-road-and-have-a-little-sence-of-humour-and/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I love the John Glenn model... I may call NASA in 25 years or so, and see if they'd like to send me to Mars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-love-the-john-glenn-model-i-may-call-nasa-in-25-years-or-so-and-see/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [Suppose you came across a woman lying on the street with an elephant sitting on her chest. You notice she is short of breath.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/suppose-you-came-across-a-woman-lying-on-the-street-with-an-elephant/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [The fact that I was going to be the first American woman to go into space carried huge expectations along with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/the-fact-that-i-was-going-to-be-the-first-american-woman-to-go-into/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to do what she wanted to do, and as someone who took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-would-like-to-be-remembered-as-someone-who-was-not-afraid-to-do/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I want to tell young girls to try thinking of their future selves as their role models.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jisoo/i-want-to-tell-young-girls-to-try-thinking-of-their-future-selves-as/) [Jisoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jisoo/) > [I'm a role model for lots of young girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-finch/i-m-a-role-model-for-lots-of-young-girls/) [Jennie Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-finch/) > [“Sex may be completely out in the open now, but it's still defined and controlled by a powerful subset of elite men. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carina-chocano/sex-may-be-completely-out-in-the-open-now-but-it-s-still-defined-and/) [Carina Chocano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carina-chocano/) > [I feel like I'm held more accountable to stay healthy now because now I'm a role model to young girls to not have eating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/i-feel-like-i-m-held-more-accountable-to-stay-healthy-now-because-now/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [In terms of being a role model, I didn't start out to be one. I don't go to work every day with that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/in-terms-of-being-a-role-model-i-didn-t-start-out-to-be-one-i-don-t/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) ## More by Sally Ride > [No, I think most astronauts recognize that the space shuttle program is very high-risk, and are prepared for accidents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/no-i-think-most-astronauts-recognize-that-the-space-shuttle-program/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I have been a bit of a risk-taker all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-have-been-a-bit-of-a-risk-taker-all-my-life/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [The view of earth is spectacular from space. Most people imagine that when astronauts look out the window of the shuttle they see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/the-view-of-earth-is-spectacular-from-space-most-people-imagine-that/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I was always very interested in science, and I knew that for me, science was a better long-term career than tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-was-always-very-interested-in-science-and-i-knew-that-for-me/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [You know, I go around the country a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/you-know-i-go-around-the-country-a-lot/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [Anything from making a mistake on an experiment that would ruin some scientist on earth's experiment - career, potentially - to doing something wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/anything-from-making-a-mistake-on-an-experiment-that-would-ruin-some/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [Women make up only 25 percent of the science, engineering and technology workforce... We are delighted to be working with NASA Ames to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/women-make-up-only-25-percent-of-the-science-engineering-and/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [Then during the mission itself, I used the space shuttle's robot arm to release a satellite into orbit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/then-during-the-mission-itself-i-used-the-space-shuttle-s-robot-arm/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I think eventually private enterprise will be able to send people into orbit, but I suspect initially it's going to have to be with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-think-eventually-private-enterprise-will-be-able-to-send-people/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [It's easy to sleep floating around - it's very comfortable. But you have to be careful that you don't float into somebody or something!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/it-s-easy-to-sleep-floating-around-it-s-very-comfortable-but-you-have/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I don't have any nicknames.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-don-t-have-any-nicknames/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [There are lots of opportunities out there for women to work in these fields, ... Girls just need support, encouragement and mentoring to follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/there-are-lots-of-opportunities-out-there-for-women-to-work-in-these/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to do what she wanted to do, and as someone who took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/i-would-like-to-be-remembered-as-someone-who-was-not-afraid-to-do/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [It takes a couple of years just to get the background and knowledge that you need before you can go into detailed training for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/it-takes-a-couple-of-years-just-to-get-the-background-and-knowledge/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) > [Studying whether there's life on Mars or studying how the universe began, there's something magical about pushing back the frontiers of knowledge. That's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/studying-whether-there-s-life-on-mars-or-studying-how-the-universe/) [Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) [Explore all 100 Sally Ride quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/) ## More Ass quotes > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“There was once an old but clever donkey, who never liked the sting of any bee, Nor for all the Slung mud, did he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyavrat-thareja/there-was-once-an-old-but-clever-donkey-who-never-liked-the-sting-of/) [Priyavrat Thareja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyavrat-thareja/) > [I named my son Noah for the same reason Chris Martin named his apple: we're asses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/i-named-my-son-noah-for-the-same-reason-chris-martin-named-his-apple/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [Apuleius married a rich widow, then wrote \_The Golden Ass\_.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/apuleius-married-a-rich-widow-then-wrote-the-golden-ass/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [What is this world?--A term which men have got, To signify not one in ten knows what; A term, which with no more precision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/what-is-this-world-a-term-which-men-have-got-to-signify-not-one-in/) [Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/) > [I can tell you this. It is not going to be evenly constituted and when she was Speaker Pelosi, she certainly showed no interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/i-can-tell-you-this-it-is-not-going-to-be-evenly-constituted-and-when/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [Whoa. He had ghouls on speed dial. My lawyer kicks so much ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/whoa-he-had-ghouls-on-speed-dial-my-lawyer-kicks-so-much-ass/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [“Employment is an employee’s kissing of an employer’s ass. A salary is the employer’s pretense to be cleaning his ass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/employment-is-an-employee-s-kissing-of-an-employer-s-ass-a-salary-is/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I just had a pedicure. My feet are soft like a baby's behind. If his ass was covered in calluses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-saget/i-just-had-a-pedicure-my-feet-are-soft-like-a-baby-s-behind-if-his/) [Bob Saget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-saget/) > [Now people are really inspired to do a lot, and the fire got lit under our asses to be more politically aware and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasheer-zamata/now-people-are-really-inspired-to-do-a-lot-and-the-fire-got-lit-under/) [Sasheer Zamata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasheer-zamata/) > [Friends, haters, it's Twitter poll time. What do you think most holds back justice and equality for women? All thoughts welcome!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-wilde/friends-haters-it-s-twitter-poll-time-what-do-you-think-most-holds/) [Olivia Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-wilde/) > [Held in the palms of thousands of disgruntled people over the centuries have been ideas worth millions - if they only had taken the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hayes/held-in-the-palms-of-thousands-of-disgruntled-people-over-the/) Robert M. Hayes Browse all 1,551 Ass quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never went into physics or the astronaut corps to become a role model. But after my first flight, it became clear to me that I was one. And I began to understand the importance of that to people. Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. 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