Mae C. Jemison: Astronaut

Sciences provide an understanding of a universal experience, Arts are a universal understanding of a personal experience... they are both a part of us and a manifestation of the same thing... the arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity

There is without doubt, a plethora of exceptional individuals that can be found on this list. All of these iconic individuals share some the greatest qualities; public-spirited, carrying breathtaking talents, and having an infrangible compassion to change the world. However, there is no one else with a résumé as astronomical as Mae C. Jemison, respectfully. This astute, multilingual speaking, trailblazing astrokid was attending Stanford University full-time with a National Achievement scholarship by the age of 16,  and was aboard NASA’s Endeavour space shuttle carrying out its second mission -- making her the first African American astronaut. However,  she’s much more than just that.

Mae Carol Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama on October 17th, 1956, but considers the city of Chicago as her hometown. At the age of 3, her family moved to the “Windy City” with hopes to take advantage of a better educational system. Mae, being the youngest of three and child of an elementary school and a maintenance worker, had an extended fascination with all things science and anything apposite to the subject. Her parents were very supportive of her aspirations to be a scientist. In a 2005 press release, she reminiscences on the type of influence that parental support had on her when sharing with the press that her parents were “the best scientists” she’s known through their questioning methods on her as child.

Her excellence in academia opened a wide range of opportunities at a young age. She graduated from high school and enrolled into Stanford University at 16 and like high school, she was engaged and deliberate in her studies. Jemison graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering and a B.A. in African and Afro-African Studies. Shortly after, she interned at the USC Medical Center and enroll into the prestigious Cornell Medical College where she studied in Cuba and Kenya as she volunteered at a Cambodian refugee camp. By 1981, Mae graduated and received her degree.

In addition to her receiving a Doctor of Medicine degree from Cornell University, Mae was also well engaged in numerous recreational interests including; traveling, graphic arts, photography, sewing, skiing, collecting African Art, languages (Russian, Swahili, Japanese), weight training, has an extensive dance and exercise background and is an avid reader.

In her return to the United States, she grew passion to pursue her dreams of becoming an astronaut and applied to NASA’s training program. She would become the first black female to get accepted being one of 15, chosen from a mass of 2000 applicants. She would complete her training in 1988 and begin as an astronaut office rep. at the Kennedy Space Center.  

On September 12, 1992, she went to space aboard the ‘Endeavour.’ Assigned Mission STS 47, the 50th mission for the space shuttle program. Jemison performed experiments regarding weightlessness and motion sickness while aboard. She also conducted an experiment to determine how tadpoles develop in zero gravity. Jemison spent over 190 hours in space before returning to Earth on September 20th. With her achievements came lots of honorary accolades such as; The Ebony Black Achievement Award, being named Gamma Sigma Gamma Woman of the Year in 1990, the Essence and Science & Tech. Award, and even being named after an alternative public school in Detroit, MI (Mae C. Jemison Academy). She also made an appearance on an episode of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ and was the first real astronaut to do so.

In 1993, the renowned astronaut resigned and founded the Jemison Group, a company prioritized in developing technological gears for daily use. Between 1995 and 2005, she started the ‘Jemison Institute and served as a professor at Dartmouth College. Jemison was involved in many of prominent organizations, she took a role on the board of directors for the World Sickle Cell Foundation along with other American organizations in science. Mae is highly considered as a role model for humanity and an accomplished superwoman who hasn’t failed to break through barriers and push boundaries, setting a standard for those to follow beyond any limitations imaginable.