Cotton Canvas Tote Bag (Mae Jemison)

Mae Jemison is an accomplished American physician and astronaut. Born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, she made history as the first African American woman to become an astronaut. In 1992, she spent over a week orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. 🚀

Jemison’s journey began when she moved to Chicago with her family at the age of three. There, she developed a passion for science, anthropology, archaeology, evolution, and astronomy. As a high school student, she became interested in biomedical engineering and entered Stanford University at just 16 years old. She earned degrees in chemical engineering and African American studies.

After medical school at Cornell University, Jemison volunteered in a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand and studied in Kenya. She graduated in 1981 and worked as a general practitioner before joining the Peace Corps in West Africa. There, she managed health care and collaborated on research projects, including the development of a hepatitis B vaccine.

Her dream of becoming an astronaut led her to apply to NASA in 1987. Out of 2,000 applicants, she was one of the 15 selected. Jemison completed her training as a mission specialist and became an astronaut office representative at the Kennedy Space Center. Her achievements inspire young people to pursue careers in science and medicine, and she continues to advocate for diversity in the sciences. 🌟