She is a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine and received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University. Dr. Crawford is a native New Yorker and attended the Bronx High School of Science. After medical school Dr. Crawford worked for the New York City Health Department South Bronx district. She then relocated to Portland, Oregon to study at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. She opened her primary care family practice clinic, Optimum Family Health Clinic, in Portland where she practiced for thirteen years before moving to Atlanta, Georgia to work in environmental public health. Dr. Crawford is an environmentalist and a social justice activist.