Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison preparing for her time in spaceWikipedia“One of the things that I'm very concerned about is that as African-Americans, as women, many times we do not feel that we have the power to change the world and society as a whole” -Mae Jemison. Mae Jemison inspires young African American women to break out of the stereotypical barriers society puts them in and follow their dreams. Jemison worked at NASA as an engineer and an astronaut, and achieved the title of the first African American woman to go to space. Mae was intrigued by science ever since she was little, and this interest led her to Stanford University, where she graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. Mae volunteered as a medic and gave back to the less fortunate, highlighting her generosity. A hero must possess the trait of hard-work to strive towards and achieve their dream. They must also be selfless, and want to help others be the best they can be. Mae Jemison's actions and achievements highlight her hard-working and selfless personality, making her an inspiration and a true hero.

Mae’s character exploits that she works hard to strive towards her goals. She had to surpass obstacles and hardships on her way to the stars: "Dr. Jemison underwent an intense, year-long training and evaluation program at the Johnson Space Center before becoming a mission specialist, the title given to scientists and technicians who conduct experiments in flight. It would be four more years, though, until she would be launched into orbit, in September 1992, on the shuttle Endeavor, making history as the first black woman astronaut" (“Mae Jemison.”EBSCOhost).

Mae Jemison in spaceFrolicious.comMae Jemison was dedicated to what she did and strived towards her goals. She was willing to put in the hard work in order to achieve her goals and her dedication inspires others and teaches them to stop at nothing to achieve their dreams. Mae’s hard work ended up paying off; “In 1987, she received the exciting news that of the two thousand people who applied to NASA, she was one of fifteen who were selected for special training. If she passed the course, there was a strong possibility that she would become a space traveler within a few years¨ ("Mae C. Jemison." UXL Biographies). Ever since a kid, Mae Jemison wanted to become an astronaut, and kept pushing towards her goal until it became reality. Hard-work and perseverance sent her to the stars, and she has inspired millions on her journey there. Mae Jemison worked hard to make her dreams come true and urges others to do the same.

Jemison also helped others in need and provided them with opportunities, showing her generosity and selflessness. She traveled the world, helping people immensely along the way: "She then spent the next two years in West Africa, where she served as medical officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia... As medical officer, she was responsible for teaching medical courses, supervising the laboratories, writing health manuals for the local people, and generally overseeing public health and safety in the vicinity. It kept her very busy, and she loved every minute of it" ("Mae C. Jemison." UXL Biographies).

As busy as Mae was with her scientific duties, she still carved out time for helping those in need. She cared for others and aided for them, exploiting her helpful personality.  Mae didn’t have to do this; she wanted to do it and enjoyed it. Mae also targeted the youth, in hopes of sparking their interest in science. “Jemison has done her part by co-sponsoring an annual International Science Camp for kids aged 12 to 16”("Mae C. Jemison." Contemporary Black Biography). After Mae Jemison retired from NASA, she still strived to help other people. She preaches to young scientists that they must follow their dreams and to really enjoy what they do. She wants to interest kids in the depths of science and teach them how enjoyable being a scientist is. This exploits Mae Jemison as a kind and selfless, as she urges the youth to succeed in whatever they do.

Mae Jemison teaching the youthMedia PlanetMae Jemison has the attitude and characteristics of a hero, and makes the world a better place by following her dreams and inspiring others. She put in the hard work to get the results she wanted and as persevered through hardships. Her attitude and selfless personality make her a hero to millions. Jemison advanced her knowledge in science and pushed herself harder as she got older. She got accepted into NASA and was the first African American women to go into space. After she retired from NASA in 1993, Mae devoted her life to helping others find their interests. She started the Jemison Group, which develops science technology for future use and exploration. Mae inspires millions to follow their dreams and be the best they can be. She preaches that African American women need to break out of the stereotypical boundaries society has put them in. Mae wants them to follow their dreams and not just stop because their sex or the color of their skin. She also wants them to help out their community and aid to people less fortunate and in need. Jemison inspires me to stop at nothing to achieve my goals and to push myself harder than I thought I could. Mae Jemison shot for the stars, and on her journey there inspired millions of people to do the same.

Works Consulted

Gelletly, LeeAnne. “Mae Jemison Biography.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, Advameg, Inc.,

2002, www.notablebiographies.com/Ho-Jo/Jemison-Mae.html.

"Mae C. Jemison." Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 35, Gale, 2002. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1606002207/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=03

7e466

"Mae C. Jemison." UXL Biographies, UXL, 2011. Student Resources In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2108101169/SUIC?

u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=5921fa51. Accessed 12 Dec. 2018.

“Mae Jemison.” Mae Jemison (Biography Today), Jan. 2010, p. 1. EBSCOhost,