For spring break, instead of the beach or the water park, my 5-year-old Daniel wanted to go see his heroes at the Kennedy Space Center. Daniel fell in love with space reading Mae Among the Stars – the story of the first Black female astronaut to go to space. He couldn't wait to see Mae. 

However, when we arrived and made our first stop at the Hall of Heroes (also known as the Hall of Fame), Mae Jemison's photo was nowhere to be found. My son looked up at my husband and I and said, “Well, maybe she isn’t real.” That moment began my simultaneous outrage and search for answers. 

When we called and had a meeting set up, we were told that it was in fact true. Mae Jamison was not displayed because she had not yet been nominated or inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame even though she has met every. single. requirement. Not to mention making history as the first Black woman to go to space. It felt heartbreaking and disappointing to then have to explain to my son why this is a sad reality we often face as people of color.

Kids like Daniel need to see their heroes be recognized. NASA and the Kennedy Space Center can right this wrong. Sign the petition and join our family in ensuring that Mae C. Jemison is nominated AND inducted into the astronaut Hall of Fame.