A Life Imprisonment Sentence Led Alice Marie Johnson to Radical Compassion

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:25:21 +0000

“I made up in my mind that I am never going to ask a woman why you’re here. However I meet them in that moment, that’s who they’re going to be.”

Alice Marie Johnson was sentenced to life in federal prison as a non-violent offender after attempted possession of drugs. When she began her sentence, a fellow prisoner told her, “Bloom where you’re planted,” and that phrase turned her life behind bars around. She began advocating for criminal justice reform in prison and teaching fellow inmates computer skills.

After 21 years, Kim Kardashian heard and brought attention to her story, which eventually led to Alice being granted clemency by President Donald J. Trump.

Since being granted clemency, Alice has committed her life to helping others and continuing to fight for criminal justice reform for the women and men who are still incarcerated. Through her leadership with Taking Action for Good (TAG), Alice has devoted herself as a force for good, creating a cultural shift for restorative justice.

Radical Heroes is a Starts With Us series featuring stories from extraordinary leaders demonstrating curiosity, compassion, and courage in action.

Find Alice Marie Johnson:
https://takingactionforgood.org
https://twitter.com/AliceMarieFree

Join the movement to overcome extreme political and cultural division in America by practicing curiosity, compassion, and courage every day. → https://startswith.us

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