It was impossible to miss the furor about the space flight of the six female celebrities on April 14. Thanks to Jeff Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, singer Katy Perry, broadcast journalist Gayle King, philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn took an 11-minute venture to the edge of space. However, it’s far from the first time Black women have been involved in space travel.
5 Noteworthy Black Female Astronauts
1. Joan E. Higginbotham
Higginbotham received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1987. After this achievement, she began her career at NASA in 1987 as an aerospace technologist at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. She also obtained two Master’s degrees from the Florida Institute of Technology. The one in management was completed in 1992, while the one in space systems was completed in 1996. In 1996, she was selected as an astronaut and flew on STS-116 in 2006 as a mission specialist.
Though she was the third Black woman to venture into outer space, Higginbotham made her mark by being a part of a trailblazing mission where a seven-member crew continued the construction of the International Space Station (ISS), including four space walks with Higginbotham operating the station’s robotic arm.
2. Stephanie D. Wilson
Wilson is a Boston native who received her Bachelor of Science in engineering science from Harvard University in 1988 and a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1992. After being selected as an astronaut in 2006, she flew on STS-121 in 2006, STS-120 in 2007, and STS-131 in 2010 to log over 42 days in space. In 2013, Wilson completed a nine-month detail to NASA’s Glenn Research Center as the Acting Chief of Program and Project Integration in the Spaceflight Systems Directorate.
Since then, she has been NASA’s Space Station Integration Branch Chief from 2010 to 2012, the Mission Support Crew Branch Chief from 2018 to 2020, and Deputy of the Assigned Crew Branch from 2021-2023.
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3. Mae C. Jemison
Before becoming the first Black woman in space, Jemison completed her Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and Bachelor of Arts in African and Afro-American Studies from Stanford University, as well as a doctorate in medicine from Cornell University. When she watched astronaut and physicist Sally Ride, Jemison decided to apply to NASA’s astronaut program in 1983. She was selected for the program in 1987, and on September 12, 1992, Jemison went into orbit aboard the space shuttle Endeavour as a science mission specialist.
While in orbit, Jemison conducted scientific experiments that took advantage of the microgravity environment. This mission, known as Spacelab J, was conducted over forty-four different experiments. The crew made 127 orbits and returned safely on September 20, 1992, giving Jemison over 190 hours in space.
4. Jeanette J. Epps
Born in Syracuse, Epps’ brilliance in science was recognized by her educators from an early age. As such, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in physics from LeMoyne College in 1992, as well as her Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland.
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She was selected by NASA in 2009 and graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training. This is significant as it includes instruction in the International Space Station systems, spacewalk training, robotics, T-38 flight training, and water and Wilderness survival training. In 2024, Epps set the record as the Black American astronaut who has spent the most time in space when she spent 235 days on the International Space Station (ISS) as a member of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission.
5. Yvonne Darlene Cagle
Cagle has a long list of educational achievements, starting with a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry from San Francisco State University and a doctorate in medicine from the University of Washington. Once accepted into NASA’s program, she began her medical career with them as a certified flight surgeon. Cagle has received certification in aerospace medicine and further certification as a senior aviation medical examiner.
While involved in a variety of missions, Cagle provided mission support of aircraft providing medical support and rescue. She has also contributed essential data to the study on astronaut health and served as a consultant for space telemedicine. The recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, United States Air Force Air Staff Exceptional Physician Commendation, and National Technical Association Distinguished Scientist Award is currently the chief scientist for the Level II Program Office of NASA’s Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research program.
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Why the History of Black Women in Space Travel Matters
Even though events are more publicized than ever before, many argue that it’s also become easier for news to be twisted. Instead of being straightforward, certain reports can be manipulated to suggest that things are different from what they are. One of the ways people have been able to combat potential misinformation is by pointing to the country’s history. That becomes harder to do if there are people in power who are actively advocating for its removal.
In recent times, it took public outcry for the National Park Service to undo its deletion of the image of Harriet Tubman from the section of its website that was dedicated to the Underground Railroad. The Arlington Cemetery website faced similar backlash after removing any mention of the World War II service of Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen from its website.
Unfortunately, it didn’t stop there. A profile of Army Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, who served in the Vietnam War and became the highest-ranking Black servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor, was also removed from the Department of Defense website before being reinstated.
While the information was restored this time, many worry that it’s a sign of things to come. It’s frustrating that people’s accomplishments can be erased so easily, and future Black generations could lose parts of history that are integral to showing what they’re capable of. Removing these achievements is also another way to ensure that other ethnicities never see Black Americans as anything other than the picture they would like to paint.
To make things worse, many aspects of Black Americans’ contribution to history have yet to be properly documented. It takes constant pressure for these changes to be made. To put things in perspective on a global level. The Eiffel Tower was constructed in 1889, but has always only borne the names of 72 male scientists. Though the monument is supposed to have the names of any scientists with notable accomplishments, it has taken all this time for the names of 40 female standout scientists to be added.
What You Can Do
Any acknowledgement of Black people’s contributions to history is hard-fought, but recent actions only confirm that they’re not permanent. It can be easy to remove pictures and paragraphs from a website. Names can be scratched from monuments, and even entire structures can be demolished.
While some Black organizations are taking steps to keep their own records, you can take steps toward cementing Black history, too. You can document what you’ve learned in your home, churches, and community centers. Sharing stories with the younger generation is another way to ensure that essential accomplishments are commemorated.
Additionally, you can join and support organizations that are taking up the mantle to fight. You can also join public outcry whenever there are local, state, or federal sites or places that want to remove any mention of Black Americans throughout history. As long as nobody speaks up, the erasure can become permanent.
Others may be interested in erasing Black people’s achievements, but you can do your part to stay informed and spread the word. Though there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the present and looking forward to the future, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the past.
