Mae Jemison
Learn about Mae Jemison (born October 17, 1956): physician, engineer, and the first African American woman to travel in space. Explore her early life, education, NASA mission, post-astronaut work, quotes, and lessons for future generations.
Introduction
Mae Carol Jemison is a trailblazing figure whose life intersects medicine, engineering, and space exploration. Born in 1956 in Alabama, she grew into a visionary scientist, becoming, in 1992, the first Black woman to fly into space aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour. Her journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and the belief that representation matters. Beyond her historic flight, she has devoted herself to education, technology, and inspiring young people—especially underserved communities—to engage with science and possibility.
Early Life and Family
Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama. Charlie Jemison, who worked as a maintenance supervisor, and Dorothy (Green) Jemison, an elementary school teacher of English and mathematics.
When Mae was about three years old, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, seeking educational opportunities and a more supportive environment.
From an early age, Jemison showed a lively interest in nature, biology, and astronomy. She famously felt frustrated that there were no women astronauts on the Apollo missions, which fueled her determination.
She graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago in 1973, at the age of 16.
Education & Medical Training
Jemison entered Stanford University at 16, where she pursued degrees in chemical engineering and African & African-American studies. Cornell University, earning her M.D. in 1981.
During her medical training, she also engaged in international and humanitarian work: she studied in Cuba and worked in Thailand in a Cambodian refugee camp. Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and worked as a general practitioner in Los Angeles.
From 1983 to 1985, Jemison served as a Peace Corps medical officer in Liberia and Sierra Leone, supervising health care and collaborating on vaccine research.
NASA Career & Space Flight
Application & Selection
Inspired by the 1983 flight of Sally Ride—the first American woman in space—Jemison applied to NASA’s astronaut program. Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 temporarily paused selections, but she reapplied in 1987.
She was selected in NASA Astronaut Group 12 (1987), one of 15 people chosen from around 2,000 applicants.
STS-47 (Endeavour) Mission
Jemison’s single spaceflight occurred September 12–20, 1992, on Space Shuttle Endeavour, mission STS-47. mission specialist.
Over about 7 days, she orbited Earth 127 times, logging 190 hours, 30 minutes, 23 seconds in space.
She also helped test a method to produce saline solution in space by recycling water.
Jemison left NASA in March 1993, after six years in the astronaut corps.
Post-NASA Work & Contributions
After leaving NASA, Jemison focused on bridging science, education, and social impact.
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She founded The Jemison Group, Inc., a consulting company exploring the social and cultural impact of technological design.
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She also created the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, named in honor of her mother, which sponsors educational programs, camps, and science initiatives.
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One signature project is “The Earth We Share”, a science camp engaging youth (ages 12–16) in hands-on problem solving and global awareness.
Jemison has held academic roles: she was a professor at Dartmouth College (1995–2002), directing the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in Developing Countries. Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University.
Beyond education, Jemison has advanced projects combining biofeedback, neuroscience, and engineering—such as BioSentient and AFTE (a technique she and colleagues tested during STS-47).
She is also principal of 100 Year Starship, an organization aimed at making interstellar travel feasible within the next century.
Jemison has appeared in media, served on boards, written children’s books (e.g. Find Where the Wind Goes), and even appeared in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation—becoming the first real astronaut to appear on that show.
Personality, Influence & Values
Jemison is known for her interdisciplinary curiosity, humility, and advocacy. She vehemently supports diversity in STEM—especially encouraging girls and minority students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
She sees her astronaut role as a platform, not an endpoint, and uses it to speak about global health inequities, the need for innovation, and the importance of imagination.
She is also a fan of dance and the arts, having maintained her interest in dance throughout her life, and she often highlights the role of creativity in STEM.
Selected Quotes of Mae Jemison
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“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.”
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“I always thought something magical could happen when you read a book.”
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“It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”
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“The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin … it’s that they are different expressions of the same thing.”
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“Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.”
These statements reflect her belief in possibility, curiosity, and bridging disciplines.
Lessons from Mae Jemison’s Life
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Be boldly interdisciplinary.
Jemison shows that science, medicine, engineering, art, and social impact need not be separate paths but complementary expression. -
Representation opens doors.
By becoming the first Black woman in space, she shifted what future generations imagine possible. -
Use platform for purpose.
Her career illustrates how achieving historic “firsts” is only part of the journey—what you build afterward matters most. -
Persistence in the face of obstacles.
She navigated delays (e.g., Challenger pause), reapplications, and systemic barriers but remained steadfast in her vision. -
Educate and empower others.
Her foundation work, camps, and mentorship reflect a commitment to lifting others up, not just celebrating her achievements.
Conclusion
Mae Jemison’s life is a luminous example of what happens when curiosity, courage, and compassion converge. From her early dreams of space to breaking barriers on the Shuttle Endeavour, and on to shaping global STEM education and future interstellar ambitions—she continues to inspire. Her story invites each of us to imagine bigger, persist smarter, and use our successes to expand possibility for others.