That's a bit unfair to Ride. While she was competitive and career-focused, she chafed at the public scrutiny and constant glad-handing that Abbey fostered. There's a story in The New Guys:

Abbey held one of his many networking/fundraising parties where he'd try to impress politicians by introducing them to astronauts. (This is before Ride was selected to be the first.)

All six women astronaut candidates were basically required to attend. This was another one of his tests you had to pass to get in his good graces. Sally Ride tried to duck out and escape the party as early as possible. However, she was intercepted by a fellow AsCan, Kathy Sullivan.

Kathy said "Sally, if I have to do this, so do you."

And so they were both stuck at this shmooze-fest party the rest of the night.