American leftist activist and former member of the radical organization Weather Underground, Kathy Boudin, died Sunday afternoon at her home In New York. According to reports, the 78-year-old had been battling cancer for the past 7 years.

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Her death is a heavy blow in the movement spaces, as she was well-loved and deeply respected for her work around labor movements, the abolitionist movement, as well as her work to help free political prisoners.

It is with profound grief that we share with you that our co-founder, co-director, and friend Kathy Boudin died yesterday morning on May Day 2022.

Thank you to all who have reached out.

Read more about Kathy’s life and the impact she had on so many: https://t.co/dWTGb2lW1h pic.twitter.com/KiG4AQoRMV

— Center for Justice (@JusticeColumbia) May 2, 2022

Boudin spent 22 years in prison for her participation in the infamous 1981 Brink’s armored truck robbery, in which a guard and two police officers were killed right outside of New York City.

She was released in 2003 after expressing remorse for the robbery and being a model prisoner for over two decades.

After her release, she continued to be a positive influence on inmates and former inmates.

Boudin grew up in New York City around parents who fought for change, so the radical spirit was in her blood from an early age. Her father was a civil rights attorney named Leonard Boudin, and her mother was named Jean (Roisman)Boudin.

Kathy attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and was valedictorian of her class in 1965. Her passion for social justice and change began to blossom after college and Boudin started to follow the anti-war and racial justice movements of the 60’s very closely.

She eventually became an active member of the radical leftist organization Weather Underground, a left-wing militant organization founded on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan.

In 1981, Boudin served as the getaway driver during the Brink’s robbery and pleaded guilty to felony murder and robbery.

After her release in 2003, Boudin received an Ed. D. from Columbia University Teachers College and was named an adjunct professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work.

Her son Chesa Boudin told AP that his mother is the true definition of a redemption story.

“She, as a mother, offered not only unconditional love and pride but also a model of how to live redemption and own responsibility for horrific mistakes without allowing them to entirely define her life,” he said during an interview.

Many took to social media to express thoughts on the untimely loss.

Heartbreaking news that Kathy Boudin, the mother of San Francisco DA @ChesaBoudin, has passed away.

You truly don’t know Chesa without knowing her. Her story. Her life before prison. 20+ years in prison. And a brilliant life well lived after her release. pic.twitter.com/dlLpL8wLKF

— Shaun King (@shaunking) May 1, 2022

It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved co-founder and friend Kathy Boudin has died. May we all celebrate Kathy’s life and legacy.

Read more about Kathy’s life and the impact she had on so many: https://t.co/NcXdkSaoXd pic.twitter.com/tKjYorCMgZ

— Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (@RAPPcampaign) May 2, 2022

I first met Kathy Boudin where so many other folks met her, at a protest where she was fighting for the health, dignity & freedom of all incarcerated people while mourning another life lost in prison. Such an honor & privilege to know and learn from her.

Rest In Peace & Power. https://t.co/UEN4DxBopn

— Tiffany Cabán (@tiffany_caban) May 2, 2022

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