Mae Jemison is an American physician, engineer, and former NASA astronaut who made history as the first African American woman to travel in space. She was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, and was raised in Chicago, Illinois.

After earning a degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University and a medical degree from Cornell University, Jemison worked as a general practitioner and served in the Peace Corps before applying to NASA's astronaut training program.

In September 1992, Mae Jemison made history by becoming the first African American woman to travel to space as a mission specialist on the STS-47 mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. During her eight-day mission, she conducted experiments on weightlessness and motion sickness.

Mae Jemison's groundbreaking accomplishment as a NASA astronaut paved the way for future generations of women and people of color to pursue careers in space exploration. She has since become a prominent advocate for science education and representation in STEM fields.

In addition to her time at NASA, Jemison has also founded a technology consulting firm, served as a professor at several universities, and been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the fields of science and technology. Mae Jemison's legacy in Black history is a testament to her trailblazing spirit and dedication to breaking barriers in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.