Mae Jemison - Facts for Kids

Early Life & Background

Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, making her the youngest of three children in her family.

Mae Jemison moved to Chicago with her family when she was just three years old, where she spent most of her childhood.

Mae Jemison's mother was an elementary school teacher, and her father worked as a maintenance supervisor.

Mae Jemison loved science from an early age and spent hours in her school library reading about all kinds of scientific topics.

Mae Jemison started dancing when she was about 8 or 9 years old. Over the years she learned many dance styles including African, Japanese, ballet, jazz, and modern dance.

Mae Jemison grew up watching the Apollo missions on TV — and seeing only men going into space made her want to change that.

Mae Jemison had a special love for Star Trek as a child and was particularly inspired by Lieutenant Uhura's character.

Mae Jemison graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago when she was just 16 years old.

Education & Development

Mae Jemison entered Stanford University at age 16, showing her exceptional academic abilities from an early age.

Mae Jemison earned two degrees from Stanford University: one in Chemical Engineering and another in African and African-American Studies.

Mae Jemison went on to earn her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1981.

Mae Jemison learned to speak Russian, Japanese, and Swahili, showing her incredible ability to learn languages.

Mae Jemison worked as a general practitioner while studying for her astronaut training.

Mae Jemison served as a Peace Corps Medical Officer in Sierra Leone and Liberia from 1983 to 1985.

While working as a medical officer (with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC for short), Mae Jemison helped with research to develop vaccines — including for hepatitis B.

Mae Jemison studied dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater while pursuing her medical career.

Career & Achievements

Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.

Mae Jemison spent 190 hours, 30 minutes, and 23 seconds in space during her mission on STS-47 Spacelab J.

Mae Jemison conducted important experiments about weightlessness and motion sickness while in space.

When Mae Jemison launched into space in 1992, she took along a photograph of Bessie Coleman — a brave pilot who was the first African‑American woman to fly an airplane.

Mae Jemison performed experiments with tadpoles in space, studying how they develop without gravity.

Mae Jemison started her own company called The Jemison Group, which encourages science and technology research.

Mae Jemison founded the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, named after her mother.

Mae Jemison became the first real astronaut to appear in an episode of Star Trek, starring in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Mae Jemison has written several books about her experiences, including "Find Where the Wind Goes."

Personal Life

Mae Jemison loves cats and had several as pets throughout her life.

Mae Jemison lives in Houston, Texas, where she continues her work in science and technology.

Impact & Legacy

Mae Jemison has inspired countless young girls to pursue careers in science and space exploration.

Mae Jemison created The Earth We Share, an international science camp for students.

Mae Jemison leads the 100 Year Starship project, which aims to make human travel to another star possible within 100 years.

Mae Jemison has received numerous awards, including induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Mae Jemison created BioSentient Corporation, which develops mobile health technology.

Bonus Fun Facts

Mae Jemison appeared on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation as Lieutenant Palmer.

Mae Jemison was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 2004.

Mae Jemison has a LEGO figure made in her likeness as part of the Women of NASA set.

Mae Jemison served on the Board of Directors for the World Sickle Cell Foundation.

Mae Jemison helped design a satellite system to improve health care access in developing countries.

The Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence (founded by Mae C. Jemison) runs an international science camp called The Earth We Share (TEWS), for students aged about 12–16.

Mae Jemison has been awarded the Kilby Science Award for her achievements.

Mae Jemison didn’t just fly in space — she also helped invent medical and monitoring devices and even filed patents to protect those inventions!

Mae Jemison flew into space about nine years after the first American woman in space, Sally Ride.

Mae Jemison flew into space about 30 years after John Glenn's historic orbital flight.

In 1987, Mae Jemison was chosen by NASA as one of 15 astronaut candidates — picked from around 2,000 people who applied!

Mae Jemison was part of NASA's first astronaut class selected after the Challenger disaster.

Mae Jemison provided medical care to Peace Corps volunteers in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Mae Jemison learned computer programming while working as a doctor.

Mae Jemison studied nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy before becoming an astronaut.

Mae Jemison worked as a general practice doctor in Los Angeles before joining NASA.