Hi! I am Dr. Mae C. Jemison. I was the first African American Woman to fly into space. 

    Since then, I have paved the way for young children, like you, to dream BIG and pursue their dreams. 

    Born on October 17, 1956 in Alabama, I was the youngest of three children. My parents, Charlie and Dorothy Jemison always believed in me and supported my big dreams. 

    When I was little, my family moved to Chicago, Illinois! I grew up here and my fascination with science began to grow.

    At the age of 16, I graduated High School and was on my way to Stanford University!

    I would not let anything get in my way from becoming a scientist!

    When I graduated from Stanford in 1977, I had a degree in Chemical Engineering and African American Studies.

    "Sometimes people want to tell you how to act or to be a certain way. Sometimes people want to limit you because of their own limited imaginations."

    I continued my education at Cornell University where I received my medical degree in 1981. 

    I served others in the Peace Corps in Liberia and Serra Leone. 

    Then, my time finally came. I applied to become an astronaut at NASA!

    My dream came true in 1987 when I was one of 15 selected for the astronaut program.

    I started training and was assigned to STS-47 where I was the science mission specialist. 

    Excitement is in the air! Or should I say in Space?!

    I made history on September 12th, 1992 when I became the first African American Woman in space!

    Our crew of seven astronauts spent 9 days in space!     

    We made 127 orbits around the earth before returning home on September 20th.

    When I left NASA after six years, I began the Jemison Group.

    This company helps encourage science, technology and social change.

    After my time in space, I was invited to be in an episode of Star Trek! I was Lieutenant Palmer in the episode "Second Chances".