Spreading Good News (Post 527 – BLACK HISTORY MONTH: First African American Female Astronaut, Mae C. Jemison)

The goal of Spreading Good News is for readers to:

GET INSPIRED and/or GET MOTIVATED and/or GET INFORMED and/or GET AWE-STRUCK and/or GET A BREAK FROM ALL THE NEGATIVE NEWS and to tell readers about our good, short books and our online store.

CLICK THE “FOLLOW” LINK ABOVE TO RECEIVE AN E-MAIL ALERT FOR EACH NEW, DAILY POST!!

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CONSTANT QUOTE

 

 

IT’S BETTER TO DIE CHASING A DREAM NEVER CAUGHT THAN TO DIE NEVER HAVING CHASED THE DREAM.  ~ Joyce Fields

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I’M FOR TRUTH, NO MATTER WHO TELLS IT.  I’M FOR JUSTICE, NO MATTER WHO IT’S FOR OR AGAINST.  ~ Malcolm X

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Candle-Lighter Award

 

Thank you very much to www.living4bliss.wordpress.com for presenting me with the Candle-Lighter Award.  I truly appreciate the recognition!

The Candle-Lighter Award is an award for a blog or post that is positive and brings light into the world.

I started this “Good News” blog in July 2010 because I was tired of and disgusted by all the negative news and information.  I wanted to give people positive news and information.  I’m having a great time looking for, receiving, and posting these pieces!  Stay tuned!!

RULES

Whenever you see a blog or post you think brightens the world, give the blogger the Candle-Lighter Award.

Recipients can accept or decline. What does the recipient have to do?  Simply accept and nothing more!  You can paste this image on your blog, if you wish, and you are done!  If you wish to honor someone else with a Candle, pass it on, anytime and as many times and to as many people as you wish.

Come on and help me brighten up all our lives!

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TODAY’S BLOG

We all should know more about the contributions that African-Americans have made in the fields of science and medicine, as well as art, music, the written word, sports, and just-everyday life.

In honor of “Black History Month,” I will be Spreading Good News with daily posts of informative, educational, entertaining pieces about Black History.

I hope you enjoy this piece!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH:  First African American Female Astronaut, Mae C. Jemison

 

Mae C. Jemison was born on October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama, to Charlie and Dorothy Jemison.  At the age of three, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, to further their educational opportunities.  Her parents stressed the importance of education and when she was four, her uncle sparked her interest in archaeology and anthropology.  She spent much of her time in libraries, reading about all she could get her hands on.  Mae graduated high school with honors and entered Stanford University with an interest in the biomedical engineering profession. She graduated in 1977 with a degree in chemical engineering and later a second bachelor’s degree in African American studies.

Jemison then attended Cornell University’s medical school in 1977 and graduated in 1981.  During her time at Cornell, she volunteered in a Thai refugee camp and took part in health studies in Kenya.  From 1983 to 1985 she was the area Peace Corps Medical Officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa.  She also took part in various research projects for the vaccines for hepatitis B and rabies.

Early on, Jemison decided she wanted to be an astronaut, and in 1987 she joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Program and completed a one-year training program in 1988.  Prior to her first flight in space, she worked at the Kennedy Space Center as a mission specialist.  In September of 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space during her flight on the STS-47, Spacelab-J.  During this flight, she logged 190 hours, 30 minutes and 23 seconds in space.  She resigned from NASA in 1993.

In 1994, she founded and ran “The Earth We Share,” a space camp for students aged 12-16.  From 1995-2002 she taught environmental studies at Dartmouth College.  Mae Jemison is currently the director of the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in developing countries.

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What are your thoughts on this piece?

 

NOTE FROM JOYCE:  If you enjoyed and/or learned from this blog, please leave a comment and send the link to others.  Thanks!!

If you’re interested in reading all about “My Breast Cancer Journey,” those posts start with post #334.

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~ Joyce Fields

 

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS FROM JOYCE FIELDS

Joyce is an author who has written seven books.  If you enjoy this blog, you will, undoubtedly, enjoy all her books.  Her sister, Anita, is also an author.

BE INSPIRED!  You can read about and order their books AND order merchandise from their online store at this link (or click the “BE INSPIRED!” button above):

https://lineofserenity.wordpress.com/get-more-inspiration/

Thanks for your interest AND support!!

Contact Joyce at goodshortbooks@yahoo.com.

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SOME OF JOYCE’S FAVORITE BLOGS

I visit these blogs and leave comments regularly.  I think you will enjoy them all!

http://www.lenasledgeblog.com  Books, reviews, give-aways, interviews.

http://living4bliss.com  Believing Life Is Set up for Success (BLISS)

http://goss-coaching.com/author/gosscoaching  A professional writer and wellness coach helping people connect thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and action to create optimal health and a vibrant life.

http://www.thebirkineffect.com  Musings of a “want it all” 21st century woman

http://www.thesweetsensations.com  A baking, entertainment, and lifestyle blog.  Fantastic recipes and food photography, too!

http://www.pennilessparenting.com  A rich life on minimum wage.  Plus fabulous, healthful recipes!