Starring in an episode of the television franchise that shaped your childhood and fostered your passions sounds like poetic cinema. But for astronaut, doctor, and engineer Mae Jemison, when it comes to achieving her dreams, the sky’s the limit. Going from a Star Trek fan to the first astronaut to make an appearance on the show is only one of her many amazing accomplishments. People revere Jemison for being the first African-American Women to travel to space. She is part of the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame for her stellar achievements. 

Once A Starry-Eyed Child

Even when growing up, Jemison had her heart set on exploring space. She was born in 1956 in Decatur, Alabama, and moved to Chicago, Illinois several years later. While watching the televised Apollo airings, Jemison experienced what I’m sure a lot of fellow women in STEM can relate to: disappointment at the lack of women in that field and wanting to make a change. As a young space-loving dreamer, Jemison looked up to Nichelle Nichols. Nichols was the African-American actress who played Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek. Little did young Jemison know she would be making an appearance in the same show franchise in her adult years. But the path she took to get there was by no means an easy journey.

Mae Jemison STS-47
Mae Jemison: Photo from flickr

Jemison’s Takeoff

In 1973, Jemison attended Stanford University in California. Since she was one of the few African-American students in her class, she faced intense racial discrimination. She didn’t take these environments of hatred and injustice lying down, however. On the contrary, while pursuing her studies, she participated in social justice and activism. In fact, she was president of the Black Student Union. 

Jemison graduated in 1977 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.A. in African and African-American studies. She then involved herself in a range of opportunities that called upon both her brimming intellect and steadfast compassion. These involvements ranged from studying at Cornell Medical School to interning at the Los Angeles County Medical Center. She even worked in Cambodian refugee camps. Jemison gained experience in the medical field as a medical officer in the Peace Corps in Africa for two years. After this, she started a private practice. Her life’s trajectory found its true course when she applied to NASA’s astronaut program in 1983 following the debut of Sally Ride as the first American woman in space.

first woman of color in space
Astronaut: Photo by Olu Gbadebo on Unsplash

Landing Among the Stars

Although she was initially rejected, Jemison applied again and was accepted in 1987. She was one of fifteen admitted from more than 2,000 applicants. Her first mission – the voyage that made her the first African-American woman to go to space – was assigned to her in 1989 and carried out in 1992, where she served as a Mission Specialist in the STS-47 crew. On this voyage, her team made 127 orbits around Earth before returning. Jemison broke barriers and made the first leap for women of color in space, and for that, her story will be celebrated infinitely. Once she made this first step, the diversification of the field of aeronautics was able to thankfully pick up speed.

Despite leaving NASA after a six-year term in 1993, Jemison continued to make strides for women in science. She created a consulting company that advocated for science and social activism known as The Jemison Group, headed the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in Developing Countries, and started an international space camp for teenagers named The Earth We Share, to name a few of her many impactful projects and roles.

Mae Jemison women in science
Mae Jemison: Photo from flickr

Additionally, of course, she went on to star in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation after being invited by the director, making her the first real astronaut to be a part of the acting cast. Who knows, her appearance may just as well have inspired the next generation of little girls to pursue space exploration. 

an unforgettable legacy

Not only did Mae Jemison set a new course for women of color in space, but her achievements, like the foundation of the Jemison group, evidently reflect an encouragement for aspiring astronauts and scientists. It is heartwarming to see how passionate Jemison is about clearing the path for more individuals, especially women of color like her, to achieve their dreams. Being an African American woman in STEM undoubtedly came with many obstacles at the intersection of gender and race, as touched upon in the overview of her education. However, because of her work, drive, and determination, more people like her can achieve the same dreams. We owe our thanks to Jemison for being a pioneer, not just for humankind in space, but also for women of color in aeronautics.

“Women in Science, We exist.”

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