Avenger of the Week | Dr. Mae Jemison

In 1992, doctor, scientist, dancer, and astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison became the first woman of color in space.

Introduced to science at a young age, Dr. Jemison began attending Stanford University at age 16, later graduating with both a BS in chemical engineering and a BA in African and Afro-American Studies. Jemison went on to receive her MD from Cornell Medical College.

A few years later, inspired by both Sally Ride and actress Nichelle Nichols, Jemison applied to the NASA Astronaut Program, accepted only after the Challenger Shuttle tragedy in 1987. Her acceptance into the program made her the first woman of color to be admitted into NASA’s astronaut training program, the first woman of color to graduate from that program, and then later the first woman of color to travel to space. Dr. Jemison served as the science mission specialist where she conducted experiments to further knowledge of the effects of space travel on crew members.

Doctor, scientist & dancer @maejemison added astronaut to her resume when she became the first woman of color to travel in space. #AvengerOfTheWeek #GenderAvenger https://www.genderavenger.com/blog/avenger-of-the-week-dr-mae-jemison