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Mae C. Jemison – First Afro American Women in Space

12. March 2015

“The society should recognize how much women and members of other minority groups can achieve if given them the opportunity”.

I was surfing on Twitter and found this interesting picture of a young women sitting in a space shuttle with her natural hair. I was curious and I googled this Frolicious Beauty. I learned that her name is Mae Carol Jemison from the United States. Mae Carol Jemison who was born in Decatur, Alabama. In 1992, Jemison became the first African-American woman in space. Due to her accomplishments, she has received several awards and honorary doctorates.

Mae C. Jemison

Early Days of Mae Carol Jemison

Astronaut and physician Mae Carol Jemison was born in 1956. Although she was born in Alabama, Jemison calls Chicago as her hometown. The family moved to Chicago when she was 3 years old for educational purposes.

Her parents supported and encouraged her talents and abilities. Jemison entered Stanford University on a National Achievement Scholarship. In Stanford she did dance and theater productions and served as head of Black Student Union. Mae Carol Jemison graduated in 1977 and received a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. After Stanford she studied at the Cornell University Medical College and also in Cuba and Kenya. Furthermore, she also worked at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand.

Mae C. Jemison received her M.D. in 1981. After working in Sierra Leone and Liberia, she returned back to the USA in 1985 and decided to follow her dream. She applied for admission to NASA’s astronaut training program and became one of the 15 candidates from a field of about 2.000. Jemison became the first African-American woman to be admitted in the astronaut training program.

On September 12, 1992 Jemison finally flew in to space with six other astronauts: Endeavour on mission STS 47.

 

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