Mae Jemison Biography

Mae Carol Jemison is an American physician and former astronaut for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to travel to space. She has stated that as a child she always knew she would fly amongst the stars. In her mind, travel to space would be as common as going to work. With a personality geared toward learning, she is the recipient of nine honorary doctorates in the fields of science, engineering, letters and the humanities. She also has a great sense of self-assurance and empathy. Once while serving in the Peace Corps, she overrode another doctor’s diagnosis and called in an airlift for a patient at the cost of $80,000. When told she didn’t have the authority, she responded that she didn’t need it. Her diagnosis proved correct and the patient survived. This sense of confidence helped to catapult Mae far in the fields of science and technology. Since her time in space, Jemison has worked tirelessly to expand technology as well as educate the next generation of scientists. She has created multiple corporations and camps aimed at accomplishing this goal. Her continued ambitions play an important part in technological advancement. To know more about her life and works read on.