[24] Another experiment she participated in was to induce female frogs to ovulate, fertilize the eggs and then see how tadpoles developed in zero gravity.

There were 6 other astronauts on that mission. Mae StarChild Graphics & Music: Acknowledgments Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and was selected to serve for the STS-47 mission, during which she orbited the Earth for nearly eight days on September 12–20, 1992.

There she managed health care for Peace Corps and U.S. embassy personnel and worked in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control on several research projects, including development of a hepatitis B vaccine. Mae joined the Peace Corps in 1983 and served as a Peace Corps Medical Officer until 1985 in Liberia and Sierra Leone. She also worked with the Centers for Disease Control helping with research for various vaccines. Mae graduated from high school in 1973 and entered Stanford when she was only 16. from Cornell Medical College. Throughout the eight day mission, she began communications on her shift with the salute "Hailing frequencies open", a quote from Star Trek.

While in school Mae studied dance as well as science and choreographed a musical titled Out of the Shadows. "Having been an astronaut gives me a platform," says Jemison, "but I'd blow it if I just talked about the Shuttle."

She received a Doctor of Medicine degree from Cornell University Jemison resigned from NASA and founded the Jemison Group, Inc. Mae Jemison Early Life. Dr. Mae Jemison speaks fluent Russian, Japanese, and Swahili, as well as

When did Mae Jemison become an astronaut? In September 1992, STS-47 Spacelab J became the first successful joint U.S.-Japan space mission. [6] Jemison knew from a young age that she wanted to study science and someday go into space. [4][5] The family first lived in Woodlawn and later the Morgan Park neighborhoods. Her family moved to Chicago when she was three for better employment and educational opportunities. [8], Jemison served on the board of directors of the World Sickle Cell Foundation from 1990 to 1992. [69] In May of the same year, she was the graduation commencement speaker and only the 11th person in the 52-year history of Harvey Mudd College to be awarded an honorary D.Eng.

[47] The Dorothy Jemison Foundation also sponsors other events and programs, including the Shaping the World essay competition, Listening to the Future (a survey program that targets obtaining opinions from students), Earth Online (an online chatroom that allows students to safely communicate and discuss ideas on space and science), and the Reality Leads Fantasy Gala. - Lesson for Kids, AP World History Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, High School US History Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Middle School World History Curriculum Resource & Lesson Plans, Middle School US History Curriculum Resource & Lesson Plans, AP European History Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Western Civilization to 1648 for Teachers: Professional Development, Short Stories for Kids: Guide for Teachers & Parents, Biological and Biomedical Although her mother encouraged her curiosity[8] and both her parents were supportive of her interest in science, she did not always see the same support from her teachers. In 1993 Mae founded the Jemison Group to research and market science and technology developments for daily living. [48], Jemison was a professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College from 1995 to 2002 where she directed the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in Developing Countries. [83] She filed a lawsuit against the city of Nassau Bay and the officer. [82][83] In her complaint, Jemison said the officer physically and emotionally mistreated her. In pursuit of becoming an astronaut, she applied to NASA. Born: 17-Oct-1956 Birthplace: Decatur, AL Gender: Female Race or Ethnicity: Black Occupation: Astronaut Nationality: United States Executive summary: First African-American woman in space NASA astronaut, 1987-93. She has appeared on television several times, including as an actress in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
[21] While at Stanford, she also pursued studies related to her childhood interest in space and first considered applying to NASA. After completing her NASA mission, she formed the Jemison Group to develop and market advanced technologies.

She studied science as a child and assumed she would go to space someday. StarChild Authors: The StarChild Team [13] After graduating with an M.D. Jemison also wrote several books for children and appeared on television several times, including in a 1993 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

She later formed a non-profit educational foundation and through the foundation is the principal of the 100 Year Starship project funded by DARPA. [25] She is a member of various scientific organizations, such as the American Medical Association, the American Chemical Society, the Association of Space Explorers and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Mae Jemison, in full Mae Carol Jemison, (born October 17, 1956, Decatur, Alabama, U.S.), American physician and the first African American woman to become an astronaut. Born in Alabama and raised in Chicago, Jemison graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering as well as African and African-American studies. Mae Jemison performing a preflight switch test in the crew module of the space shuttle, This article was most recently revised and updated by, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, African American Registry - Biography of Mae Jemison, BlackPast.org - Biography of Mae C. Jemison, New Mexico Museum of Space History - International Space Hall of Fame - Biography of Mae Carol Jemison, Mae Jemison - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Mae Jemison - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). [71], Jemison participated with First Lady Michelle Obama in a forum for promising girls in the Washington, D.C. public schools in March 2009.
Mae Jemison has received many awards for her work as well as honorary doctorates.

[70], On February 17, 2008, Jemison was the featured speaker for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first sorority established by African-American college women. Jemison left NASA in 1993 and founded a technology research company. [15] At the age of 14, she auditioned for the leading role of Maria in West Side Story. She became an astronaut office representative with the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, working to process space shuttles for launching and to verify shuttle software.

[17] In an interview with The Des Moines Register in 2008, Jemison said that it was difficult to go to Stanford at 16 but that her youthful arrogance may have helped her;[18] she asserted that some arrogance is necessary for women and minorities to be successful in a white male dominated society. In 1981 she earned her M.D. 1992 Mae C. Jemison Science and Space Museum, 1992 Mae C. Jemison Academy, an alternative public school in, 2001 Mae Jemison School, an elementary public school in, 2007 Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy, a public charter school in Baltimore, Maryland, She contributed the piece "Outer Space: The Worldly Frontier" to the 2003 anthology, This page was last edited on 12 September 2020, at 14:26. Mae Jemison is an American physician who was the first African American woman to become an astronaut. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 delayed her involvement in NASA. She graduated from medical school in 1981, and, after a short time as a general practitioner with a Los Angeles medical group, she became a medical officer with the Peace Corps in West Africa. Mae Jemison", "Mae Jemison: First African-American Woman in Space", "Shooting Star: Former Astronaut Mae Jemison Brings her Message Down to Earth", "This Groundbreaking Astronaut and Star Trek Fan Is Now Working on Interstellar Travel", "The Legacy of Lt. Uhura: Astronaut Mae Jemison on Race in Space", "Mae Jemison: coming in from outer space", "Chronicle: A memento of the Alvin Ailey dance company goes into space", "Earth lover, space voyager Dr. Mae Jemison", "First black woman astronaut tells insight". [73] In 2016, she partnered with Bayer Corporation to promote and advance science literacy in schools, emphasizing hands-on experimentation. Jemison was a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1983 until 1985 and worked as a general practitioner. She then used IV bags and a mixing method, developed by Baxter Healthcare, to use the water from the previous step to produce saline solution in space. Profiles . Research Center (HEASARC). She holds several honorary doctorates and has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. She became the first black woman to travel in space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. [82] She spent several hours in jail and was treated at an area hospital after release for deep bruises and a head injury. While in space Mae Jemison logged 190 hours, 30 minutes, and 23 seconds in space. Mae Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama on October 17, 1956. graduated with degrees in both chemical engineering and Afro-American She holds several honorary doctorates and has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. [8][9][10], Jemison enjoyed studying nature and human physiology, using her observations to learn more about science. [53][54], Jemison's first book, Find Where the Wind Goes (2001), is a memoir of her life written for children. In 1987 Mae reapplied to NASA and was chosen as one of 15 out of 2000 applicants. [26] CBS featured Jemison as one of the country's "most eligible singles" on Best Catches, a television special hosted by Phylicia Rashad and Robb Weller in 1989. [46][50] Jemison continues to advocate strongly in favor of science education and getting minority students interested in science. Mae Jemison received degrees in chemical engineering and African American studies (1977) from Stanford University. What middle school did Mae Jemison go to? [8] Although she was young to be leaving home for college, Jemison later said it did not faze her because she was "naive and stubborn enough". Her parents were supportive and encouraging of all of their children's talents and "[80], Jemison built a dance studio in her home and has choreographed and produced several shows of modern jazz and African dance. [18], At Stanford, Jemison served as head of the Black Students Union. [11][25] The Associated Press covered her as the "first black woman astronaut" in 1987.

studies. Born in Alabama and raised in Chicago, Jemison graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering as well as African and African-American studies. Entered space 12 September 1992, Space Shuttle Endeavor. https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/whos_who_level2/jemison.html The Jemison family moved to Chicago when Mae was only three. She then earned her medical degree from Cornell University. [85] The Nassau Bay officer was suspended with pay pending an investigation,[86] but the police investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.

After medical school and a brief general practice, Jemison served in the Peace Corps from 1985 until 1987, when she was selected by NASA to join the astronaut corps. [84] Jemison's attorney said she believed she had already paid the speeding ticket years ago.

Jemison was a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1983 until 1985 and worked as a general practitioner. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. "Executive Life: The Boss; 'What was Space Like?