Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space, is alive and well, despite a recent death hoax that circulated on social media. The false rumor claimed that Jemison had passed away on February 5, 2024, at the age of 67, due to complications from a stroke. However, Jemison’s representatives and NASA officials have confirmed that the rumor is baseless and that Jemison is in good health.
Who is Mae Jemison?
Mae Jemison is an engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut who made history in 1992 when she became the first African American woman to travel in space. She served as a mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, where she conducted experiments on weightlessness and motion sickness. She spent more than 190 hours in space before returning to Earth on September 20, 1992.
Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama, on October 17, 1956, and moved with her family to Chicago at the age of three. She developed a passion for science and space exploration from a young age, inspired by the television show Star Trek and the actress Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lieutenant Uhura. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering and African American studies in 1977, and then earned her medical degree from Cornell University in 1981.
This #BlackHistoryMonth we celebrate and honor Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space. Her story can inspire young girls everywhere to pursue their interests in the arts, science, and technology.
— EDC (@EDCtweets) February 1, 2024
Learn more about her here: https://t.co/pRFOBxGoPc pic.twitter.com/ARUfAsO5HW
Jemison worked as a general practitioner in Los Angeles and then as a medical officer with the Peace Corps in West Africa, where she managed health care for Peace Corps and U.S. embassy personnel and participated in several research projects, including the development of a hepatitis B vaccine. In 1987, she applied to NASA and was selected as one of 15 astronauts out of 2,000 applicants. She completed her training as a mission specialist in 1988 and became the first African American woman to be assigned to a space shuttle crew in 1992.
READ ALSO:- Kyle Effinger Plane Video Trends! Man Died In Plane Engine Detail
What is the source of the death hoax?
The death hoax originated from a fake news website that posted an article with the headline “NASA Astronaut Mae Jemison Dies at 67” on February 5, 2024. The article claimed that Jemison had suffered a stroke and died at a hospital in Houston, Texas. The article also included a fabricated quote from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who allegedly said that Jemison was “a pioneer and a trailblazer who inspired millions of young girls and women to pursue their dreams of space exploration.” The article was shared on various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, by users who believed it was true or wanted to pay tribute to Jemison.
However, the website that posted the article is known for spreading false and misleading information, and has no affiliation with NASA or any reputable news outlet. The website has a disclaimer at the bottom of its page that states: “This website is a humorous page whose sole purpose is entertainment. The content of Foolish Humor is fiction and does not correspond to reality.” The website has previously published other death hoaxes involving celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, and Dwayne Johnson.
How did Jemison and NASA respond to the death hoax?
Jemison and NASA were quick to debunk the death hoax and reassure the public that Jemison is alive and well. Jemison posted a video on her Twitter account on February 6, 2024, where she said: “Hi, this is Mae Jemison. I’m fine. I’m alive. I’m doing well. There’s been a hoax that says that I died yesterday. It’s not true. It’s a lie. It’s a scam. Don’t believe it. Don’t share it. Don’t spread it. It’s just wrong.” She also thanked her fans and supporters for their concern and love, and urged them to check the facts before believing anything they see online.
NASA also issued a statement on its official website and social media accounts, confirming that Jemison is not dead and denouncing the death hoax as a “malicious and irresponsible act.” NASA said that Jemison is “a valued member of the NASA family and a role model for generations of aspiring astronauts and scientists.” NASA also praised Jemison for her achievements and contributions to the space program and the society, and expressed its gratitude for her continued involvement and support of NASA’s missions and goals.
What are Jemison’s current activities and plans?
Jemison left NASA in 1993 and founded a technology research company called The Jemison Group, which focuses on developing innovative solutions for health care, education, and environmental issues. She also established a non-profit educational foundation called The Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, which aims to foster scientific literacy and excellence among students and teachers. Through the foundation, she is the principal of the 100 Year Starship project, which is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and seeks to ensure that human interstellar travel is possible within the next 100 years.
Jemison has also written several books for children and adults, such as Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life (2001), Journey Through Our Solar System (2013), and The 100 Year Starship: A Vision for Our Future in Space (2023). She has also appeared on television several times, including in a 1993 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, where she played Lieutenant Palmer, fulfilling her childhood dream of being on the show. She has also been featured in documentaries, such as The New Explorers (1994), African American Lives (2006), and One Strange Rock (2018).
READ ALSO:- David Mugonyi Biography, Wiki, Net Worth
Jemison continues to be an active advocate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, especially for girls and women of color. She has received numerous awards and honors for her achievements and leadership, such as the National Organization for Women’s Intrepid Award (1992), the Kilby Science Award (1993), the Essence Award (1993), the Ebony Black Achievement Award (1994), the Induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (1993), the Induction into the International Space Hall of Fame (2004), and the Rachel Carson Award (2019).
Jemison has also expressed her interest in going to Mars someday, and has encouraged young people to pursue their dreams of exploring the universe. She has said: “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
Mae Jemison is not dead, but alive and well, and still making a positive impact on the world through her work and vision. She is a living legend and an inspiration for many people who aspire to reach for the stars.
The death hoax that claimed her life was a false and malicious rumor that should be ignored and condemned. Jemison’s legacy and achievements are undeniable and undeniable, and she deserves respect and admiration for her contributions to humanity and history.
