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Mae was born in Decatur, AL.
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Mae's family moved to Chicago, IL, so the children could have a better education. Mae had a brother and a sister.
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In kindergarten, Mae's teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Even at 5 years old, she said a scientist.
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In 1962, twelve women passed NASA's admission test, but none were selected for the program.
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Russia put the first woman astronaut in space. Her name was Valentina Tereshkova.
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Mae graduated with honors and went to Stanford University with a National Achievement Scholarship.
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Mae graduated from Stanford and then entered medical school. She graduated with a medical degree in 1981.
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Mae spent two years serving in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
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Mae applied for admission to NASA's astronaut training program. Mae was eventually chosen for the program.
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Mae's official acceptance came in 1987. This made Mae the first African American woman in the space program.
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Mae was awarded the Essence Science and Technology Award for her achievements.
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Mae received the Ebony Black Achievement Award.
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Mae became the first black woman in space when she flew on the Endeavor Mission with six other astronauts.
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In 1993 she received a Montgomery Fellowship from Dartmouth College, and other achievement awards included a school named in her honor and being named Woman of the Year.
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Mae retired from NASA and became a teacher at Dartmouth. She also started the Jemison Group, an organization that does research in technology. Her determination to see her dreams fulfilled continues to inspire the next generation!
