What did Mae Jemison want to be when she grow up?
Henry Morales
Published Mar 13, 2026
scientist
Once, when Jemison said she wanted to be a scientist when she grew up, her teacher asked if she meant a nurse. She later founded The Earth We Share (TEWS) , an international science camp that encourages science literacy for all.
What did Mae Jemison do?
In 1987, Mae C. Jemison became the first African American woman to be admitted into the astronaut training program. Soon after, she became the first African American female astronaut. Jemison became the first African American woman in space, traveling aboard the Endeavour.
What was Mae Jemison childhood like?
She was the youngest of three children. The Jemison family moved to Chicago when Mae was only three. It was in Chicago that an uncle introduced her to the world of science. At a very early age, Mae developed interests in anthropology, archaeology, and astronomy that she pursued throughout her childhood.
What was Mae Jemison afraid of?
She had a fear of heights It might be hard to believe that an astronaut can be afraid of heights, but Jemison was. Her fear never held her back from realizing her dream to travel into space. In fact, Jemison has acknowledged that fear doesn’t always have to be a weakness.
What was Mae Jemison weakness?
She suffered from a fear of heights, for example, but once she got into the astronaut training program, Jemison says, “There was no way I was not going to get through because of my fear of heights.” Instead, she relied on the strength of her ego to push forward. It’s a weakness only if it keeps you from doing stuff.
How many black astronauts are there?
African American astronauts
| # | Name Birth date |
|---|---|
| 1 | Guion Bluford November 22, 1942 |
| 2 | Ronald McNair October 21, 1950 †January 28, 1986 |
| 3 | Frederick D. Gregory January 7, 1941 |
| 4 | Charles F. Bolden, Jr. August 19, 1946 |
Did Mae Jemison get rejected?
Mae Jemison grew up with big dreams in a world where little black girls were discouraged to dream. Mae Jemison had to face rejection, and racism. But she still became the first black women to go to outer space. She is a real and alive example that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Has there ever been a Black in space?
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, first person of African descent and first Afro-Latino to fly in space.
