Ever since she was little, Mae Jemison had a dream; she wanted to fly to space. She not only accomplished that, but she also became the first African American female to do so! Who is Mae Jemison, and what led her to become one of the most influential women in today’s world?
early life:
Mae Jemison was born on October 17th, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama. From a young age, she was passionate about science, especially astronomy and space exploration. When she was younger, she used to watch the Apollo space missions on television. She was disappointed by the lack of female representation, which helped fuel her dreams to become an astronaut. In one interview, she mentions the thing that drew her most to science was the creativity and possibility of understanding the world around her.
college and medical school:
At the age of 16, Jemison won a scholarship to Stanford University, where she graduated with a Bachelor in Science degree in chemical engineering and a Bachelor in Arts degree in African American Studies. She went on to earn a medical degree from Cornell University in 1981. During her time in medical school, she served two years as a staff physician for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
NASA:
After taking engineering classes while practicing medicine in her private practice, Mae jemison decided to apply to secure training to be an astronaut at NASA. She was one of 15 out of 2000 applicants to be selected, and became the first female African American astronaut in history. After completing her training, Jemison boarded the STS-47 and took an eight day flight in space, where she ran various science experiments centered around cellular biology and fluid dynamics.
post-space exploration:
After she left NASA, Jemison went on to form The Jemison Group Inc., which is a company that focuses on using science and technology to help solve global problems. In 1994, she founded The Earth We Share, a science program for high school students. She then taught environmental sciences at Dartmouth College, and is now a professor at Cornell University. Jemison currently lives in Houston, Texas with her cats.
conclusion:
Mae Jemison’s journey from a small town in Alabama to outer space serves as a reminder that we can do anything if we put our mind to it! Never be afraid to dream and persevere through the challenges you face, and remember that the boundaries for your potential are limitless!
““Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. 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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