Junko Tabei Read by Kit DesLauriers

(This episode originally aired 3/10/20) Once upon a time there was a girl who climbed to the very top of the world. Her name was Junko Tabei. In fourth grade, her teacher Watanabe-Sensei takes her class on a trip to a mountain. It’s bigger than any Junko’s ever seen, and she’s determined to make it to the top. After the trip, Junko becomes a mountaineer in body and spirit. She climbs snowy mountains, rocky mountains, and even faraway mountains outside of her home country of Japan. She joins climbing clubs and befriends fellow climbers as passionate as she is. Then, Junko meets her biggest challenge yet: the tallest mountain in the world. About the Narrator: Kit DesLauriers is the first person to ski the Seven Summits and the first woman to ski Everest. She is a two-time World Freeskiing Women’s Champion, earned a 2015 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Award, and was elected into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. Credits: The episode was a production of Rebel Girls and Boom Integrated, a division of John Marshall Media. It was based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Executive Producers were Elena Favilli and Joy Fowlkes. This episode was produced by John Marshall Cheary, Sarah Storm, and Robin Lai. This episode was written by Joy Fowlkes and edited by Pam Gruber. Maithy Vu proofread. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi who also sound designed this episode. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this show possible. Stay Rebel!