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Who Is Mae Jemison?
Dr. Mae Jemison is a distinguished physician and scientist who made history in 1992 as the first Black woman astronaut to travel to space. A graduate of Stanford and Cornell Universities, Dr. Jemison initially served as a medical officer with the Peace Corps. Her dedication and perseverance culminated in June 1987 when she became the first Black woman admitted into NASA’s astronaut training program. Dr. Jemison further cemented her pioneering role on September 12, 1992, during Space Shuttle Endeavour’s mission STS-47, making her the first Black woman to orbit the Earth. Her groundbreaking achievements have been honored with numerous awards and honorary doctorates. Currently, Dr. Jemison continues to contribute to the scientific community and inspire audiences as a public speaker.
Early Life and Education
Mae Carol Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama. She is the youngest of three children born to Charlie Jemison, a roofer and carpenter, and Dorothy Jemison (née Green), an elementary school teacher. Her elder sister, Ada Jemison Bullock, is a child psychiatrist, while her brother, Charles Jemison, works as a real estate broker.
When Mae was three years old, the Jemison family relocated to Chicago to pursue better educational opportunities. Supported and encouraged by her parents, Mae developed a keen interest in science from an early age, frequently visiting her school library to explore various scientific fields, with a particular fascination for astronomy.
Jemison’s aspiration to become a biomedical engineer solidified during her tenure at Morgan Park High School, where she graduated in 1973 as a distinguished honor student. She then attended Stanford University on a National Achievement Scholarship, immersing herself in a range of extracurricular activities including dance and theater, and leading the Black Student Union. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Stanford in 1977.
Furthering her education, Jemison attended Cornell University Medical College. During her medical training, she expanded her global perspective by studying in Cuba and Kenya, and working at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1981.
Career as a Medical Doctor
Following the completion of her medical degree, Dr. Jemison undertook an internship at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, where she gained foundational experience in general practice. In January 1983, she assumed the role of Peace Corps Medical Officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia. Over the course of two and a half years, Dr. Jemison not only fulfilled her responsibilities as a medical officer but also engaged in teaching and conducting research. Her research focused on several critical areas, including rabies, schistosomiasis—a parasitic disease—and the development of a Hepatitis B vaccine.
First Black Female Astronaut
After returning to the United States in 1985, Dr. Mae Jemison decided to pursue a long-held aspiration. In October of that year, she applied for NASA’s astronaut training program. Although the selection process was delayed by the Challenger disaster in January 1986, Jemison reapplied the following year and was selected as one of 15 candidates from approximately 2,000 applicants.
On June 4, 1987, Jemison became the first Black woman to be admitted to NASA’s astronaut training program. After more than a year of rigorous training, she earned the designation of science mission specialist, a role that involved conducting scientific experiments aboard the space shuttle.
Jemison made history on September 12, 1992, when she flew into space as part of mission STS-47 aboard the Endeavour, becoming the first Black woman to travel to space. Over the course of eight days, Jemison conducted experiments related to weightlessness and motion sickness, accruing over 190 hours in space before returning to Earth on September 20, 1992.
Following her groundbreaking flight, Jemison emphasized the potential contributions of women and minority groups when provided with opportunities. She left the astronaut corps in March 1993, having paved the way for future generations in space exploration.
Honors
In recognition of her exceptional achievements, Dr. Mae C. Jemison has been awarded numerous honors. These include several honorary doctorates, the 1988 Essence Science and Technology Award, and the Ebony Black Achievement Award in 1992. She also received a Montgomery Fellowship from Dartmouth College in 1993 and was named Gamma Sigma Gamma Woman of the Year in 1990. Furthermore, the Mae C. Jemison Academy, an alternative public school in Detroit, was named in her honor in 1992.
Dr. Jemison’s professional affiliations include membership in esteemed organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American Chemical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She served on the board of directors of the World Sickle Cell Foundation from 1990 to 1992 and has been an advisory committee member for the American Express Geography Competition. Additionally, she has held a position as an honorary board member of the Center for the Prevention of Childhood Malnutrition.
In 1993, Dr. Jemison was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is also recognized as a member of the National Medical Association Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame.
Moreover, Dr. Jemison is featured in LEGO’s 2017 Women of NASA set, which includes miniature figures of her alongside astronaut Sally Ride, former NASA Chief of Astronomy Nancy Grace Roman, and computer scientist Margaret Hamilton.
Career Post-NASA
Following her departure from NASA in early 1993, Dr. Mae Jemison embarked on a multifaceted career blending science, education, and innovation. She began by accepting a teaching fellowship at Dartmouth College, where she leveraged her expertise to inspire and educate the next generation of scientists.
Dr. Jemison also founded the Jemison Group, a company dedicated to researching, developing, and marketing advanced technologies. In addition, she established The Earth We Share, an international space camp designed for children ages 12 to 16, aimed at fostering interest in space and science.
In 1999, Dr. Jemison launched BioSentient Corporation, a medical technology firm focused on enhancing health and human performance through innovative devices and services. Furthermore, she spearheads the 100 Year Starship project under the auspices of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This ambitious initiative explores the feasibility of human space travel to another star within the next century.
Dr. Jemison’s extensive scientific background has made her a sought-after public speaker, where she champions STEM education and advocates for increased opportunities for women and minorities. Her commitment to education extends to her literary work; in 2001, she published her memoir, Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life. The book recounts her early life, Peace Corps service, and astronaut training, with a focus on encouraging teenagers to learn from their experiences and adventures.
In addition to her memoir, Dr. Jemison has authored several educational books in the Scholastic series A True Book, including titles such as Exploring Our Sun, Discovering New Planets, and The 100 Year Starship.
Dr. Jemison’s contributions extend beyond print media. In 1993, shortly after her Endeavour mission, she made a notable appearance as Lieutenant Palmer on Star Trek: The Next Generation, marking the first time a real astronaut was featured on the show. This role was particularly significant for Dr. Jemison, who was inspired by Nichelle Nichols’ portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on the original Star Trek series.
She has also served as a consultant for the National Geographic drama series Mars, which chronicles a group of astronauts striving to colonize the Red Planet, and for the 2022 Disney-Pixar animated film Lightyear, featuring Chris Evans as the voice of Buzz Lightyear.
Personal Life and Interests
Dr. Mae Jemison has not married and is not known to have any children. In a 1992 interview with The New York Times, Jemison shared her passion for modern jazz and African dance, revealing her involvement in choreographing and producing multiple shows prior to her spaceflight aboard the Endeavour. Her diverse hobbies include sewing, skiing, reading, and photography. Demonstrating her appreciation for languages, Jemison is fluent in Russian, Japanese, and Swahili.