Mae Jemison, An Amazing Woman Who Changed History

Women's History Month: Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison is best known for being the first African American woman in space. Let’s learn a little more about this amazing woman.

The Early Years of an Unlikely Astronaut

Mae Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama, on October 17, 1956. She was the youngest of three kids. Her father was a supervisor for a charity organization, and her mother was a teacher.

Mae’s family moved to Chicago when she was three years old. Mae always loved nature and science and was a very bright child. Her parents always supported and encouraged her.

Even as a child, Mae was aware of and irritated by the lack of women astronauts included in NASA’s Apollo missions. She also experienced discrimination herself through much of her time in school.

Defying Expectations in Science and the Arts

Mae was also a dancer. She studied ballet, jazz, and modern dance. She was very talented and would continue to dance even through college.

Mae was a determined student. At the age of 16, she graduated from high school two years early and was accepted to Stanford University.

Very few African American students, especially girls, were in her classes. Professors continued to underestimate how intelligent and determined Mae was. While at Stanford, she was head of the Black Students Union and choreographed a dance production.

While at Cornell, Mae traveled abroad, working for various medical organizations. She was interested in helping the sick in poor and less developed countries. She also continued to study dance.

Mae graduated with her medical degree in 1981, and after completing a short residency, she began working as a doctor. But Mae wanted more. She joined the Peace Corps and became an officer. She spent the next two years working on the western coast of Africa.

In 1985, Mae decided she wanted to apply to be an astronaut with NASA. But on January 28, 1986, there was a terrible accident when the Challenger Shuttle exploded on takeoff. In response, NASA stopped all space programs until they could investigate what had happened.

The Endeavor

In 1989, Mae Jemison was one of 15 people from hundreds who were chosen to join NASA’s 50th mission on the Endeavour, STS-47.

Mae would be a mission specialist conducting experiments in space. It was an exciting and challenging time. There was a lot to learn, and it wasn’t easy.

The Endeavour took off on September 12, 1992. Mae spent the next eight days in space, orbiting the Earth 127 times. She is the first African American woman to ever go into space.

Seven astronauts, including some Japanese scientists, were on board. They conducted various experiments to examine how zero gravity affected emotions, growth, and development.

The mission was a huge success, and Mae received much praise and attention for her work. However, in 1993, she decided to retire and leave NASA.

Mae would go on to start several foundations focused on supporting technological advances and become a professor at two different colleges.

Finally, Mae always remembered how her teachers did not support her due to her race and sex. She created a science camp for teens and invited students from all over the world.

Mae Jemison will always be remembered as the first African American woman to travel into space. And she continues to inspire and support younger students who want to follow in her footsteps.