Meet Dr. Mae Jemison

"Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity."

That's right, this lady was the first African American female to go to space!

Ever since she was a young girl, Mae’s childhood dream was to become a scientist. She began her undergraduate studies at Stanford University and then continued on to Cornell University for her medical degree. After earning her degree, she served as a Peace Corps medical officer in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Inspired by Sally Ride, who became the first American woman in space in 1983, Mae applied to NASA in 1983. After a lot of hard work she made history as the first woman of color to travel to space in 1992.

After her stint with NASA, she began teaching at universities, founding research groups, and to continuing to learn and understand science by inviting others to do the same.

This legendary lady holds nine doctorate degrees in the humanities, science, and engineering. What a role model for girls and women everywhere.

Not only was Mae a science and space mastermind, but she was also a student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Plus, she made an appearance in Star Trek.

So, Mae is pretty cool. And today is an excuse to celebrate her.

It’s February 11th, Happy UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

A recent UN study across 14 countries revealed that the probability of female students graduating with a science-related Bachelor’s degrees averages to 18%, Master’s degrees 8%, and Doctorate degrees averages to just 2%. Meanwhile, the percentages of male students who are likely to graduate with these degrees are 37%, 18% and 6%, respectively.

The UN asked the same question you are probably asking, where the woman at?

The UN proclaimed that, “Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (you know, the Global Goals).  So this is a day to celebrate women who have made contributions to STEM and empower even more females to pump it up in science, technology, engineering and math.

Mae Jemison reminds global citizens everywhere that girls and women play a significant role in international development and ultimately in ending extreme poverty. 

The UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a great way to kick of a movement to empower girls and women to contribute to science. But why not celebrate girls and women in STEM all day, every day?

Let’s celebrate Mae Jemison and all the ladies and their achievements in science, technology and innovation as they tackle Global Goal 5: eliminating gender inequality and bring creativity to global development!

Hear Mae talk about her incredible story in her own words:

Editorial

Demand Equity

Meet the first African American woman to go into space

By Gina Darnaud