Mae Jemison to Speak at UAFS on April 9
Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, will visit the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) on April 9. She will speak at 6 p.m. in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center as part of the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecturer Program.
The event is free and open to the public. Jemison’s keynote, titled Exploring the Frontiers of Science and Human Potential, will be followed by an audience Q&A and a book signing. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase her memoir, Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life.
A Pioneering Astronaut and Science Leader
Jemison made history in 1992 as a science mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She conducted experiments on material science, life science, and human adaptation to weightlessness. As NASA’s first Science Mission Specialist, she combined her expertise in engineering and medicine to advance space research.
Before joining NASA, she served as a Peace Corps medical officer in Sierra Leone and Liberia. There, she managed health care programs, developed medical training initiatives, and conducted vaccine research.
Bridging Science, Culture, and Innovation
Beyond space exploration, Jemison is an entrepreneur and advocate for technology and education. She founded 100 Year Starship, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing human interstellar travel within the next century. This initiative, initially funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), fosters innovation in engineering, human systems, and space exploration.
Jemison also leads The Jemison Group Inc., a consulting firm integrating cultural perspectives into science and technology projects. Additionally, she founded BioSentient Corp., a medical technology company focused on human health and performance. Her foundation, the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, is named after her mother, a dedicated educator.
Recognized Across Science and Pop Culture
Jemison’s influence extends beyond the scientific community. She was the first real astronaut to appear on Star Trek and has been featured on Sesame Street as “Astronaut Mae.” In 2017, LEGO honored her with a mini-figure in the Women of NASA set. She also served as a space operations advisor for National Geographic’s miniseries Mars.
About the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecturer Program
The Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecturer Program, established in 1972, brings renowned speakers to six University of Arkansas campuses. It promotes intellectual discussions and cultural engagement by featuring influential voices in various fields.
