By Biography.com Editors and Tyler Piccotti Updated: Feb 01, 2024 4:41 PM EST
Who Is Mae Jemison?
Dr. Mae Jemison is a physician and scientist who, in 1992, became the first Black woman astronaut in space. After attending Stanford and Cornell Universities, she served as a medical officer in the Peace Corps. In June 1987, she achieved a lifelong dream when she became the first Black woman to be admitted into NASA’s astronaut training program. Jemison made history again on September 12, 1992, when she flew into space aboard the Endeavour on mission STS47 and became the first Black woman in space. In recognition of her accomplishments, Jemison has received several awards and honorary doctorates. Today, she works as a scientist and public speaker.
Early Life and Education
Mae Carol Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama. She is the youngest child of Charlie Jemison, a roofer and carpenter, and Dorothy Jemison (nee Green), an elementary school teacher. Her sister, Ada Jemison Bullock, became a child psychiatrist, and her brother, Charles Jemison, is a real estate broker. When Mae was 3 years old, the Jemison family moved to Chicago to take advantage of better educational opportunities. Her parents were supportive and encouraging of Mae’s talents and abilities throughout her early school years. She spent a considerable amount of time in her school library reading about all aspects of science, especially astronomy.
Jemison became convinced she wanted to pursue a career in biomedical engineering during her time at Morgan Park High School. Mae graduated in 1973 as a consistent honor student then entered Stanford University on a National Achievement Scholarship.
As she had been in high school, Jemison was very involved in extracurricular activities at Stanford, including dance and theater productions, and served as head of the Black Student Union. She received a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the university in 1977.
Jemison continued her education at Cornell University Medical College. During her years there, she found time to expand her horizons by studying in Cuba and Kenya and working at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand. She became a doctor of medicine in 1981.
Comments