Black History Month

Este cuento se llama La doctora Mae Jemison, un relato real de la primera mujer afroamericana que viajó al espacio, escrito por Lauren Kratz Prushko, traducido por Stephaney Cortes Alvarado, y narrado por Lorena Romero. Esta es una grabación de LibraryCall. "Seis, cinco, cuatro..." los motores del transbordador espacial llamado Endeavour arrancaron con un rugido ensordecedor y el transbordador comenzó a agitarse y a vibrar.

"It's Saturday!" That is Ruby's first thought when she wakes up. Then, she hears the movement of the steel pans and pots hitting the stovetop in the kitchen. Ruby's mom is getting ready for the aunties, the uncles, and cousin Shaun to visit. "Ruby!" Ruby's mom both sings and shouts her name. "It's time to get up!" A new sound emerges from the kitchen. Calypso music is playing, and Ruby hears the steel pan drum. Now the day has officially begun.

(*Motorcycle sound effect Harley Davidson, Bessie's motorcycle of choice*) There was nothing that Bessie Stringfield loved more than her Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the open road! African-American motorcyclist Bessie Stringfield was the first Black woman to ride alone across the United States starting in the 1930s. Bessie visited and rode her motorcycle along 48 states during her eight trips across the country. Bessie chose to ride along a different road than most women at the time. During the 1930s, people thought it was improper for women to ride motorcycles.

"Six, five, four…" the main engines of the space shuttle Endeavour started with a deafening roar and the shuttle began to shake and vibrate. "Three, two, one…" the astronauts aboard the Endeavour, resting on their backs with their feet above their heads with hope and excitement! "Zero, blast off!" The space shuttle Endeavour soared upward with such a great force that Dr. Mae Jemison was pushed back into her seat so she couldn't move or speak.

(Caribbean music steel pan music plays) Papa Bois was traveling through the forests of Trinidad in the Caribbean islands. Papa Bois' beard of leaves rustled against his face as he walked amongst the trees with his goat-like feet. He is known as the Ancient One and never met anyone like himself, but that was okay because he felt no difference between himself and all the living things in the world. Papa Bois was very old and had seen many things in the past, but he was also large, strong, and muscular. Sometimes he would change in different forms when needed.