Timeline Description: Mae Jemison was the first black woman to become an astronaut. She overcame hardships and fears to realize her dreams. This is a timeline of her life.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 17, 1956 | Mae Jemison is born Mae was born in Decatur, AL. |
| 1959 | The family moves away Mae's family moved to Chicago, IL, so the children could have a better education. Mae had a brother and a sister. |
| 1961 | What does Mae want to be when she grows up? In kindergarten, Mae's teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Even at 5 years old, she said a scientist. |
| 1962 | NASA chooses women for their program In 1962, twelve women passed NASA's admission test, but none were selected for the program. |
| 1963 | The first woman in space Russia put the first woman astronaut in space. Her name was Valentina Tereshkova. |
| 1973 | Mae graduates high school and goes to college Mae graduated with honors and went to Stanford University with a National Achievement Scholarship. |
| 1977 | Mae becomes a doctor Mae graduated from Stanford and then entered medical school. She graduated with a medical degree in 1981. |
| 1983 | A few years in the Peace Corps Mae spent two years serving in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia. |
| 1985 | Mae works toward her dream Mae applied for admission to NASA's astronaut training program. Mae was eventually chosen for the program. |
| 1987 | The first African American woman in NASA Mae's official acceptance came in 1987. This made Mae the first African American woman in the space program. |
| 1988 | Mae wins an award Mae was awarded the Essence Science and Technology Award for her achievements. |
| 1992 | The Endeavor Space Mission Mae became the first black woman in space when she flew on the Endeavor Mission with six other astronauts. |
| 1992 | Mae receives more awards Mae received the Ebony Black Achievement Award. |
| 1993 | Other Awards she received In 1993 she received a Montgomery Fellowship from Dartmouth College, and other achievement awards included a school named in her honor and being named Woman of the Year. |
| 1993 | Mae leaves the space field Mae retired from NASA and became a teacher at Dartmouth. She also started the Jemison Group, an organization that does research in technology. Her determination to see her dreams fulfilled continues to inspire the next generation! |