Jemison aboard the Endeavour shuttle in 1992 Reaching Her Dream IN SEPTEMBER 1992 MAE JEMISON WAS HIGH ABOVE EARTH TRAVELING THROUGH SPACE ON THE ENDEAVOUR SHUTTLE She could see more stars than she’d ever seen before Being in space made her see everything in a whole new way She recognized that Earth was a part of the universe She felt herself as part of the universe too just like a star or a comet 4
Jemison remembered herself as a young girl who dreamed of going into space How excited she would have been to reach this lifelong dream Jemison has reflected on this moment later in her life I thought about the little girl who assumed she would go into space What would my younger self have thought if she met me And I think she would have been tickled she said Jemison was one of seven crew members to launch into space aboard the Endeavour 55
Jemison grew up in Chicago Illinois Chapter 1 Growing Up MAE CAROL JEMISON WAS BORN IN DECATUR ALABAMA ON OCTOBER 17 1956 She moved to Chicago when she was three She lived there with her parents Charlie and Dorothy Jemison and her two older siblings Ada and Charles Her mother was an elementary school teacher and her father was a roofer and carpenter 6
Mae loved dance as a child Here two professional dancers display their talent From an early age Mae loved science and dance She was excited to learn about the world and always wanted to know more When she wasn’t dancing or exploring the outdoors her uncle taught her about science Her parents supported her interest in science and encouraged her to always ask questions 7
