WATTS, Calif. – A woman who served time and is now dedicating her life to helping formerly incarcerated women, received a pardon from the governor of California almost two decades later.

Susan Burton opened eight safe homes in Southern California for formerly incarcerated women. A New Way of Life Reentry Project was born in 1998, not far from where she was raised.

Burton started helping paroled women because she used to be one herself. She served six prison terms. It started after her son died. Addiction took hold of her life.

Her last criminal conviction was 22 years ago. On August 7, 2019 she got a call from the governor’s office saying she had been pardoned.

Years ago she applied for a pardon. She was denied, but kept trying.

Without a pardon she is not allowed to work with certain vulnerable groups, like the elderly and the developmentally disabled.

“I want my full citizenship restored and acknowledged,” said Burton.

The pardon won’t erase a conviction. It will let her serve on a jury, which she is actually excited about.

“The pardon can’t be anything but good. I got the governor’s attention,” said Burton.

She got to work well before she was pardoned and she is not pausing now.