Sally Rides, the first American woman in space lost her battle with cancer yesterday, leaving behind her partner Dr. Tam E. O'Shaughnessy. Sally's achievements were something Robert Jordan recognized in the Eye of the World, were one of the stories that lingers from our Age in the Third is that of Salya.

 

"Tell us about Lenn," Egwene called. "How he flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle made of fire. Tell about his daughter Salya walking among the stars.”

 

That her partners name is Tam is a coincidence, given their relationship was not public knowledge due to Sally's desire to keep her sexuality private, but it is a nice coincidence--at least, and with due respect, I thought it so. In any case Sally's achievements were great, and I'm not at all surprised that Jim thought them the sort of thing that would linger through millenia.

 

Rest in peace.

Condolences to Sally's friends and family.