Jessica Watkins is a trailblazing astronaut and geologist, who made history in 2022 as the first African American woman to join a long-term mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological and Environmental Sciences from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Geology from UCLA. Selected by NASA in 2017, Watkins spent six months aboard the ISS, contributing to groundbreaking scientific research. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., her accomplishments inspire many, particularly young women of color, to pursue careers in space exploration and the STEM field.
