The first African American woman in space was Dr. Mae Jemison. She made history on September 12, 1992, when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour during Mission STS-47. Dr. Jemison is not only an astronaut but also a physician and engineer, having earned her medical degree from Cornell University. Her journey into space lasted approximately eight days, during which she conducted scientific experiments. Jemison is a strong advocate for science education and the importance of diversity in STEM fields, often speaking to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers.