Mae Jemison
First African-American woman to travel into space.
Mae Carol Jemison (born October 17, 1956) is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. She became the first African-American woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and was selected for the STS-47 mission, during which the Endeavour orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on September 12–20, 1992.
- born
- October 17, 1956, Decatur, Alabama
- field
- Engineering, medicine, astronautics
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- First African-American woman in space
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Mae Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama, on October 17, 1956, the youngest of three children. Her father was a maintenance supervisor for a charity organization, and her mother worked most of her career as an elementary school teacher of English and math. The family first lived in the Woodlawn and later the Morgan Park neighborhoods of Chicago. Jemison knew from a young age that she wanted to study science and someday go into space. The television show Star Trek and, in particular, African-American actress Nichelle Nichols' portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura further stoked her interest in space. After graduating from Chicago's Morgan Park High School in 1973, Jemison entered Stanford University at the age of 16. She graduated from Stanford in 1977, receiving a B.S. degree in chemical engineering and a B.A. degree in African and African-American studies. She then earned her medical degree from Cornell University in 1981. Jemison served as a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1983 until 1985 and worked as a general practitioner. Inspired by the flights of Sally Ride and Guion Bluford in 1983, Jemison applied to the astronaut program in October 1985. After NASA postponed selection following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, she reapplied in 1987 and was chosen out of roughly 2,000 applicants for 15 slots in NASA Astronaut Group 12. Jemison flew her only space mission from September 12 to 20, 1992, as one of the seven-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, on mission STS-47. She logged 190 hours, 30 minutes, 23 seconds in space and orbited the Earth 127 times. The crew was split into two shifts with Jemison assigned to the Blue Shift. Throughout the eight-day mission, she began communications on her shift with the salute 'Hailing frequencies open', a quote from Star Trek. Jemison took a poster from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater along with her on the flight. She also took a West African statuette and a photo of pioneering aviator Bessie Coleman. Jemison resigned from NASA in March 1993 to start a company. She founded The Jemison Group Inc. in 1993, a consulting firm which considers the sociocultural impact of technological advancements and design. She also founded the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, naming it in honor of her mother. One of the projects of the foundation is The Earth We Share, a science camp for students aged 12 to 16, founded in 1994. Jemison has also written several books for children and appeared on television, including in a 1993 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. She holds several honorary doctorates and has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame.
Reader's Guide
Mae Jemison's significance lies in her role as the first African-American woman to travel into space, breaking racial and gender barriers in the U.S. space program. Her 1992 mission on Endeavour demonstrated the inclusion of women and minorities in NASA's astronaut corps, following the earlier flights of Sally Ride and Guion Bluford in 1983. Beyond her spaceflight, Jemison's career as a physician, Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and founder of technology and educational organizations reflects a commitment to science and public service. Her work on the 100 Year Starship project funded by DARPA and her appearances in popular culture, such as a 1993 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, have helped inspire interest in space exploration among diverse audiences. Her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame underscores her lasting impact.
Did You Know?
- Jemison began studying ballet at the age of 8 or 9 and learned several styles of dance, including African, Japanese, ballet, jazz, and modern dance.
- At the age of 14, she auditioned for the leading role of Maria in West Side Story and was selected as a background dancer.
- While at Stanford, Jemison served as head of the Black Students Union and choreographed a musical and dance production called Out of the Shadows.
- During her training at Cornell Medical School, Jemison traveled to Cuba to conduct a study funded by the American Medical Student Association and worked at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand.
- Jemison took a West African statuette and a photo of pioneering aviator Bessie Coleman with her on the STS-47 mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mae Jemison?
Mae Jemison is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama. She is best known for breaking a historic barrier in 1992 as the first African-American woman to travel into space.
What mission did Mae Jemison fly on?
She served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour during its 1992 flight. In that role she helped conduct in-orbit experiments and supported the crew's broader scientific objectives.
What was Mae Jemison's background before joining NASA?
Before her astronaut career she built professional experience in both engineering and medicine, giving her a rare dual expertise. That combination of technical and clinical knowledge helped distinguish her within the astronaut corps.
Why is Mae Jemison considered a space pioneer?
Her 1992 orbit shattered a long-standing racial and gender boundary in human spaceflight. She proved that the astronaut community could include voices from a much wider slice of American society.
What did Mae Jemison do after leaving NASA?
Following her time as an astronaut she pursued work at the crossroads of technology, health, and entrepreneurship. Her post-NASA ventures have touched biotechnology, education, and global development initiatives.
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