Mae Jemison - Flying Freely Through Outer Space Surrounded by a Sea of Stars

Have you ever dreamed of flying freely through outer

space surrounded by a sea of stars? Mae Jemison

fulfilled that dream. On September 12, 1992, aboard the

spaceship Endeavour, she became the first

African-American woman to blast into outer space. This

wasn't the only time, however, that Jemison had reached

for the stars and realized her dreams.

Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur,

Alabama, but she grew up in Chicago, Illinois. There

weren't many African-American female role models while

Jemison was growing up, but she didn't let that stop her

from achieving her goals. She was especially interested in

anthropology, archaeology and astronomy. Luckily, her

parents encouraged those interests. That encouragement

drove her to excel. She graduated from high school at 16!

Then she earned degrees in chemical engineering and

African-American studies at Stanford University. Soon after,

she graduated from Cornell University's medical school.

No obstacle was too great for Jemison to overcome!

Jemison's accomplishments did not end there. In 1981,

she joined NASA's space program in Houston, Texas. In

1988, however, Jemison realized her biggest dream: She

finally became an astronaut! Just four years later, she

was named Science Mission Specialist (another NASA first)

on the Endeavour flight.

Today she encourages young people, especially women

and girls, to study the sciences. Her life example teaches

us to follow our dreams, no matter how great!

Today she encourages young people, especially women

and girls, to study the sciences. Her life example teaches

us to follow our dreams, no matter how great!

No obstacle was too great for Jemison to overcome!

Jemison's accomplishments did not end there. In 1981,