Mae Jemison, the engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut, is still alive and well in 2024. She is currently leading the 100 Year Starship project, a visionary initiative that aims to make human interstellar travel possible within the next century.
Jemison is also a renowned speaker, author, educator, and advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, especially for girls and minorities. She is widely celebrated as the first African-American woman to travel into space, when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Jemison’s life and career are marked by remarkable achievements, challenges, and contributions to humanity.
Jemison’s Early Years and Education
Jemison was born in 1956 in Decatur, Alabama, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She was fascinated by science and space from a young age, and was inspired by the television show Star Trek and the actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura. She also faced discrimination and discouragement from some of her teachers, who did not believe that a black girl could become a scientist or an astronaut.
Jemison did not let these obstacles stop her from pursuing her dreams. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and enrolled at Stanford University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in African and African-American studies. She then attended Cornell University, where she obtained a medical degree.
Jemison’s Medical and Humanitarian Work
Jemison worked as a general practitioner in Los Angeles, California, before joining the Peace Corps in 1983. She served as a medical officer in Liberia and Sierra Leone for two years, where she provided health care, immunizations, and training to volunteers and local staff.
She also conducted research on hepatitis B, rabies, and schistosomiasis. She returned to the United States in 1985 and continued to practice medicine and teach at various institutions. She also applied to NASA’s astronaut program, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
Jemison’s Space Career and Legacy
Jemison was selected as one of the 15 candidates for NASA’s Group 12 in 1987, out of more than 2,000 applicants. She became the first African-American woman to join the astronaut corps, and underwent rigorous training and preparation for space missions. She was assigned to the STS-47 mission, which was a joint venture between NASA and the Japanese space agency.
On September 12, 1992, Jemison made history as the first African-American woman to travel into space, when she boarded the Space Shuttle Endeavour with six other crew members.
She spent eight days in orbit, conducting experiments on weightlessness, bone cell research, and material science. She also carried with her several personal items that represented her heritage and interests, such as a poster of Judith Jamison, a photo of Bessie Coleman, a West African statuette, and a Star Trek pin.
Jemison left NASA in 1993 and founded the Jemison Group, a technology consulting company that focuses on integrating science and technology into everyday life. She also established the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, a non-profit organization that promotes STEM education and social change.
She created and directed the Earth We Share, an international science camp for students aged 12 to 16, and the TEWS-Space Race, a science literacy program for Los Angeles public schools. She also wrote several books for children and adults, such as Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life and Journey Through Our Solar System.
In 2012, Jemison became the leader of the 100 Year Starship project, which was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the NASA Ames Research Center.
The project’s goal is to develop the capabilities and technologies needed for human interstellar travel within the next 100 years. Jemison oversees the research, innovation, and public engagement activities of the project, and envisions it as a way to inspire and challenge humanity to explore the unknown and overcome its limitations.
Conclusion
Mae Jemison is still alive in 2024, and continues to be a trailblazer and a role model for many people around the world. She is a pioneer in space exploration, a leader in science and technology, and a champion of education and social justice. She is a living example of courage, creativity, and excellence, and a testament to the power of pursuing one’s dreams. She is one of the most influential and influential figures in the history of space, and a symbol of hope and possibility.