Mae Jemison and Kathryn Thornton

Former astronauts Mae Jemison (left) and Kathryn Thornton, both born in Alabama, pose with fellow astronaut Leland D. Melvin (second from left) and Craig Benson (far right), dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Virginia (UVA) in September 2016. The astronauts were at UVA to participate in the Excellence Through Diversity Distinguished Learning Series. Jemison was the first African American woman in space.

Photo courtesy of the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.