Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956. She was born in the city of Decatur located in Alabama. She was one of three children. When Mae was just three years old, her parents decided to move the family to Chicago, Illinois.
In Chicago, Mae Jemison learned that she possessed a love for science. Her uncle enthusiastically introduced her to various scientific adventures and Mae loved it all. She began to pursue anthropology, archeology, and astronomy.
At the young age of sixteen, Mae Jemison enrolled at Stanford University. She graduated in 1977 with a degree in two disciplines including chemical engineering and Afro-American studies.
Mae went on to Cornell where she pursued her Doctor of Medicine degree. She earned it in 1981. As a Cornell University graduate, she went on to practice medicine in the roughest of conditions. Taking the time to volunteer in a Cambodia refugee camp, she worked with the Peace Corps in West Africa.
When she began practicing medicine in California, NASA came calling and chose to work with her developing her skills for astronaut training. She completed training in 1988 and found herself on board the Endeavor by September of 1992. The milestone she crossed as a woman was also one crossed by many women across the world when she became the first African-American woman to travel into space.
Jemison later left NASA and began working on her own endeavors. She started the Jemison Group and began efforts to help others. Her ideas and pursuits include working to improve healthcare in Africa. She has also been very instrumental in helping underdeveloped countries see the advancement in technologies and is dedicated to that improvement.
Mae Jemison also appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Today, she continues her work within the realms of science and technology.
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