Mae Carol Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, USA. She attended Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois, where she showed an early interest in science and space exploration, inspired by African-American actress Nichelle Nichols who played Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek. She graduated at age 16 from Morgan Park High School in 1973.
Mae went on to study chemical engineering at Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. During her time at Stanford, she also pursued interests in dance and served as a choreographer for the Black Student Union’s cultural show.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Jemison attended Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in 1981. She worked as a general practitioner and general practice physician in Los Angeles, California, for a few years.
In 1987, Mae Jemison was selected as one of the 15 candidates from a pool of over 2,000 applicants to join NASA’s astronaut program. On September 12, 1992, Mae Jemison made history when she became the first African American woman to travel into space as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavour during mission STS-47. The mission was dedicated to scientific research and included experiments in various fields, such as material science, life sciences, and fluid dynamics. Jemison spent eight days in space, conducting experiments and research.
After leaving NASA in 1993, Jemison pursued a diverse career in various fields, including medicine, technology, and education. She founded The Jemison Group, a company that specializes in research, technology development, and the promotion of science and technology in everyday life.
Mae Jemison is also an advocate for science education and is involved in several educational initiatives to inspire young people, especially girls and underrepresented minorities, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In addition to her work in education and science, she has served on several corporate boards and received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to these fields.
Mae C. Jemison’s life and career exemplify her dedication to breaking barriers in the field of space exploration and promoting science and technology education. She continues to be an inspiration to many individuals interested in STEM fields. Reflecting on her journey through life and space, Mae Jemison advised, “Pay attention to the world around you and then find the places where you think you’re skilled. Follow your bliss — and bliss doesn’t mean it’s easy!”
