10 Things I Learned About Dr. Mae Jemison

by Akilah “Kiki” Monifa

12/14/16

“Hail frequencies forward”

San Francisco–I attended an event at the Commonwealth Club:  Astronaut Mae Jemison:  Launching Women into Science and Tech.  Kimberly Bryant of Black Girls Code interviewed Dr. Jemison. I learned a lot more including the fact that she does not take selfie’s, but she did shake my hand.  I was the sista in the tie who came in late and stalked you for a selfie at the end.  I had on a pepper tie.

Here are 10 things I learned about the brilliant and no pun intended, down to earth Mae Jemision:

1.  She is an engineer, physician and astronaut.
2. She was in fact the first African-American women to travel in space in 1992.
3. She served in the Peace Corps.
4. She wanted to be a professional dancer.
5. She is a trekkie and is the only astronaut to appear in Star Trek:  The Next Generation.
6. She holds 9 honorary doctorates, so that’s Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Jemison to you.
7. Her current venture post retiring from NASA is the 100 Year Starship to create a business plan to last 100 years to fund research for interstellar travel.
8. She is only 1 year older than yours truly.
9. She did not succeed in her audition for Maria in the production of West Side Story when she was 14.
10. She was born in Decatur, Alabama (hey Mae, I was raised in Huntsville, Alabama, so I am your homie and I can travel, see my latest series #BlackinScandinavia.  How about InterstellarBlesbian?  Seriously, I have a passport although I don’t think it is needed for interstellar travel.  Holla at your gurl Mae!

Thanks for dropping pearls.

Peace, love, gratitude, compassion, and blessings.