Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison (http://www.nasaimages.org/luna/servlet/detail/nasaNAS~5~5~20997~125934:Dr--Mae-C--Jemison,-First-African-A)

A man by the name of Les Brown once preached, "Reach for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Some may dream about being the first to step foot on the moon but others made that dream into reality. People who have a driven purpose to make their dreams happen, have mindsets that lead them towards pursuing it. This person, however, did not believe in the existence of failure. She proved that she could handle what life had for her. This person in particular, is Mae Jemison. Mae Jemison is considered a hero to many because she is determined, devoted, and an inspiration towards many people of color and women in society.

On October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama, Mae Carol Jemison arrived into the world as a healthy baby girl. Jemison, a sibling to Ada and Charles and the daughter of Charlie and Dorothy made her the youngest and last edition of the family. After a few years of living in Decatur, the family later moved to Chicago, Illinois; where Jemison's parents believed on taking advantage of better educational opportunities there. "Throughout her early school years, her parents were supportive and encouraging of her talents and abilities, and Jemison spent considerable time in her school library reading about all aspects of science, especially astronomy." (DISCovering Science)" Jemison had been fascinated by science since she was four years old, when her uncle first sparked her interest in the subject." (UXL Biographies) Even as young girl, she had already established her personal interests and desires to pursue throughout her lifetime. Along with being fortunate for having parents that knew what they were doing and with the dream that she would someday explore the stars and beyond, that helped inspired Jemison to strive throughout her academic, social, and career life.

After graduating high school at the age of sixteen in 1973, Jemison spent a busy and active four years spent at Stanford, "In 1977, Jemison graduated with a B.Ch.E. in chemical engineering and a B.A. in African and African American studies. She then enrolled at Cornell University Medical School and graduated with an M.D. degree in 1981." (UXL Biographies) Those were a few of the many major accomplishments and milestones in her life."During her years as a Cornell medical student, Jemison took every opportunity to do more traveling." (UXL Biographies) Some of her travels included working with Cambodian refugee camps in Thailand, Kenya, and Cuba. "This was challenging work, partly because Jemison was so young. At twenty-six, she often found it hard to get people to take her seriously; but they soon found how competent she was." (UXL Biographies)Although Jemison faced age discrimination in the work force, she still managed to remain humble, submissive, and loyal.

Jemison, along with other crewmembers. (http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/4834/Woman-of-the-Week-Mae-Jemison-October-17-1956-to-Present)

Not too short from her college years, Jemison returned to her childhood interests of space explorations. "Ever since she had become fascinated by astronomy as a child — and ever since she had read her first science fiction story — there had been a curiosity about space, the dream that she might one day explore the skies." (UXL Biographies) Being qualified into the program and months of patience was an irritating process but in 1987, Jemison received exciting news on how she was allowed the chance to be apart of the NASA program. It wasn't until "September 1992, when she made history as a crew member on the eight-day space mission of the Endeavour." (UXL Biographies) Jemison's successful flight along with other crewmembers was not only recognized as a big deal but it also changed history for that moment of time and for the better.

Mae Jemison, as of today. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/star-trek/5284668/Star-Trek-the-unlikely-Trekkies.html?image=5)

Jemison ideally took her life career as a ripple effect. The dream that she might one day explore the skies triggered her to accomplishing her achievements. It all started from simple words of wisdom given from her parents into what led her to becoming the first African American woman to land foot on the moon. Jemison displays what a true hero is through her patience and persistence. Her determination and devotion was what kept her going to inspire many women of color realize that anyone can reach for the stars if they keep with their promises and if given the opportunity.