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Congresswoman Wilson's Statement on 20th Anniversary Dr. Mae Jemison Becoming First African-American Woman in Space

Washington, DC, September 12, 2012
Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, issued the following statement on 20th anniversary of Dr. Mae Jemison becoming the first African-American woman in space:

Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, issued the following statement on 20th anniversary of Dr. Mae Jemison becoming the first African-American woman in space:

“Twenty years ago, on September 12, 1992, Dr. Jemison became the first African-American woman to go into space. Following in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong, who took ‘one giant leap for mankind,’ she fulfilled her lifelong dream by going into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Having presided over her initiation as an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I am especially proud that Dr. Jemison brought our flag aboard the shuttle with her. As a doctor, Peace Corps medical officer, NASA astronaut, college professor and entrepreneur, she is an inspiration to minority students interested in science and technology. Because of what Dr. Jemison did and what she continues to do, today’s young people are pursuing their own dreams.”


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U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term Congresswoman from South Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.