Mae Jemison

Lore & Background

Mae Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama, and raised in Chicago. From an early age, she was determined to study science and travel to space, inspired in part by the television show *Star Trek* and the character Lieutenant Uhura. She enjoyed observing nature and human physiology to learn about science, though a kindergarten teacher once assumed her ambition to be a scientist meant she wanted to be a nurse. Jemison also studied ballet, jazz, modern, African, and Japanese dance from childhood, and at 14 she auditioned for a leading role in *West Side Story*. She entered high school at age 12 and graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1973 before attending Stanford University at 16. At Stanford, she served as head of the Black Students Union and choreographed a musical and dance production. She graduated in 1977 with degrees in chemical engineering and African and African-American studies. Jemison then earned a medical degree from Cornell University in 1981, interned in Los Angeles, and worked as a general practitioner. From 1983 to 1985, she served as a medical officer for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone, supervising health care, pharmacy, and laboratory staff, and developing health guidelines. She later applied to NASA, joined the astronaut corps in 1987, and became the first African-American woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle *Endeavour* in 1992. After leaving NASA in 1993, she founded a technology research company, a non-profit educational foundation, and leads the 100 Year Starship project. She has written children’s books, appeared on *Star Trek: The Next Generation*, and holds several honorary doctorates.

Reader's Guide

Mae Jemison’s journey to space began in her childhood, inspired by the television show *Star Trek* and the character Lieutenant Uhura. She studied nature and human physiology, but faced discouragement, such as when a kindergarten teacher assumed she meant to be a nurse. She was frustrated by the lack of female astronauts during the Apollo missions. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering and African and African-American studies, she earned a medical degree from Cornell University. She served as a Peace Corps medical officer in Liberia and Sierra Leone, supervising pharmacy, lab, and medical staff, and worked with the Centers for Disease Control on vaccine research. She also studied dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and choreographed a musical production at Stanford. As a NASA mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle *Endeavour* in 1992, she orbited Earth for nearly eight days, becoming the first African-American woman in space. After leaving NASA, she founded a technology research company and a non-profit educational foundation, through which she leads the 100 Year Starship project. She has written children’s books and appeared on *Star Trek: The Next Generation*. Her career broke racial and gender barriers, and her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame reflects her enduring influence on STEM fields and underrepresented groups.

Did You Know?

• Jemison took a poster from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and a photo of aviator Bessie Coleman on her space flight.
• She began her shift communications on STS-47 with the Star Trek salute 'Hailing frequencies open'.
• Jemison auditioned at age 14 for the lead role of Maria in West Side Story and was selected as a background dancer.
• She served as head of the Black Students Union at Stanford University.

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