Mae Carol Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama. When she was three years old, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she grew up. Mae loved science from a very young age and spent hours at the library reading about space and the stars. Her parents always encouraged her curiosity and supported her dream of becoming a scientist. Growing up in Chicago, she also developed a love for dancing and art.
Mae was such a brilliant student that she entered Stanford University at just 16 years old. She graduated from Stanford in 1977 with a degree in chemical engineering and also studied African American studies. After Stanford, she went to Cornell University Medical College, where she earned her medical degree in 1981. During medical school, she traveled to Cuba, Kenya, and Thailand to provide medical care to people in need. Her wide-ranging education prepared her for what came next.
Before becoming an astronaut, Mae joined the Peace Corps in 1983 and served as a medical officer in Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa. She was responsible for the health of Peace Corps volunteers and embassy staff in those countries. Mae managed the pharmacy, laboratory, and medical staff while also working with the Centers for Disease Control on research projects. She developed guidelines for health and safety issues and treated patients in areas with limited medical resources. Her time in Africa deepened her commitment to using science to help people around the world.
Mae applied to NASA’s astronaut program and was selected in 1987, joining a class of 15 new astronaut candidates. She completed her training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, becoming fully qualified for spaceflight. Her training included learning to operate shuttle systems, practicing spacewalks underwater, and studying orbital mechanics. She was one of the first African American women to be admitted to NASA’s astronaut corps. Mae worked hard for five years before she finally got her chance to fly in space.
On September 12, 1992, Mae Jemison made history as the first African American woman to travel in space. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-47 mission, which was a cooperative mission between the United States and Japan. During the eight-day flight, she spent a total of 190 hours, 30 minutes, and 23 seconds in space, orbiting the Earth 127 times. Mae conducted experiments on motion sickness, bone cell growth, and how weightlessness affects the body. Her historic flight inspired millions of young people, especially girls and people of color, to pursue careers in science and space exploration.
Mae left NASA in 1993 to pursue other dreams and founded her own technology company called the Jemison Group, which later became BioSentient Corp. She also became a professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where she taught students about science and technology. In 2012, she launched the 100 Year Starship program, a bold project funded by the Department of Defense to promote research that could make interstellar travel possible within the next century. Mae wanted to make sure that the next generation of scientists kept dreaming about exploring beyond our solar system. She has always believed that science and creativity must work together to solve the world’s biggest problems.
Mae Jemison often said that watching the television show Star Trek as a child inspired her to dream about space travel. She was especially inspired by Lieutenant Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols, who was one of the first African American women to have a major role on a television series. In 1993, Mae got the chance to appear on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, becoming the first real astronaut to appear on the show. She played Lieutenant Palmer in the episode called “Second Chances.” Her appearance on the show brought her story full circle, connecting the science fiction that inspired her with the real science she achieved.
Mae Jemison has received numerous honors for her achievements, including the National Organization for Women’s Intrepid Award and induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. She has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from many universities around the world. Mae continues to speak to young people about the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math education. She reminds students that they should never let anyone else define the limits of their dreams. Mae’s life story shows that with determination and hard work, no barrier is too high to overcome.
OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia