Science
Mae Jemison: First African American woman in space
Mae Jemison is a physician and engineer who became the first African American woman in space. She continues work in biotechnology and science education.
Mae Carol Jemison is an American physician, engineer and astronaut. She became the first African American woman to travel in space.
Education and medicine
Born in 1956, Jemison earned a degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University and a medical degree from Cornell University. She practiced medicine and served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
NASA and spaceflight
Selected by NASA in 1987, Jemison flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 as a mission specialist on STS-47. She conducted experiments in materials science and life sciences.
After NASA
After leaving NASA, Jemison founded the Jemison Group and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence. She has worked on biotechnology, science education and the 100 Year Starship project, which explores the possibilities of interstellar travel.
Recognition
Jemison is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has received numerous honors for her work in science, education and space exploration.
