HerStory
Mae Jemison HerStory
Here is a HerStory lesson about Dr. Mae Jemison, the first black woman to travel into space.
Born in Alabama in 1956 and raised in Chicago, Mae Jemison was a bright child who loved science and dance. She excelled in high school and was accepted into Stanford University at age 16. During University, she served as the head of the Black Students Union and earned degrees in chemical engineering and African studies. She then went to medical school at Cornell University and earned a medical degree. After graduating, Jemison served as a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1983 until 1985. After her time in the Peace Corps, she applied and was accepted to NASA in 1987. She was chosen out of roughly 2,000 applicants.
Dr. Mae Jemison was the first black woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. During her mission, she orbited the Earth for nearly eight days.
She worked at NASA for six years and then left to pursue interests in "teaching, mentoring, health care issues and increasing participation in science and technology of those who have traditionally been left out."
After her time at NASA, Jemison founded a technology research company and a non-profit educational foundation, which still exist today. Jemison also wrote several children’s books and has appeared on television several times.
She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993 and the International Space Hall of Fame in 2004.
Born in Alabama in 1956 and raised in Chicago, Mae Jemison was a bright child who loved science and dance. She excelled in high school and was accepted into Stanford University at age 16. During University, she served as the head of the Black Students Union and earned degrees in chemical engineering and African studies. She then went to medical school at Cornell University and earned a medical degree. After graduating, Jemison served as a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1983 until 1985. After her time in the Peace Corps, she applied and was accepted to NASA in 1987. She was chosen out of roughly 2,000 applicants.
Dr. Mae Jemison was the first black woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. During her mission, she orbited the Earth for nearly eight days.
She worked at NASA for six years and then left to pursue interests in "teaching, mentoring, health care issues and increasing participation in science and technology of those who have traditionally been left out."
After her time at NASA, Jemison founded a technology research company and a non-profit educational foundation, which still exist today. Jemison also wrote several children’s books and has appeared on television several times.
She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993 and the International Space Hall of Fame in 2004.