Mae Jemison

We celebrate our 25th anniversary with Mikeael Shiffrin, Leonard Nimoy, Mae Jemison, Stephen Colbert, John Hodgman, and Ozzie Smith.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel in space, shares her inspiring journey from aspiring astronaut to a science mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She discusses the barriers she faced and the significance of her historic mission. Notably, she touches on her cameo in Star Trek: The Next Generation, revealing how childhood inspirations propelled her into stardom. The conversation also highlights her advocacy against hair discrimination, connecting her achievements to broader cultural shifts.

In this episode, Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to go into space, shares her journey from dreaming of becoming a scientist as a child to her historic achievement. She discusses her experiences in NASA's astronaut training program and her reflections on her journey to space. Mae's commitment to science and technology continues through her leadership in projects like the 100-Year Starship.