Interview by Paul Salfen
About Judy Henderson
Judy Henderson was a thirty-two-year-old mother of two running a successful business when she was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Rather than surrender to despair, she transformed her sentence into a mission. Behind bars, Henderson earned her GED and paralegal certification, pioneered programs connecting incarcerated mothers with their children, and became a powerful voice for women’s rights and prison reform. Her advocacy work led to landmark legislation recognizing battered women’s syndrome as a legal defense in Missouri.
After thirty-six years of unwavering faith and persistence, Henderson was pardoned in 2018. Her release wasn’t just freedom—it was vindication. Today, she channels her hard-won wisdom into serving others through Catholic Charities and advocating for criminal justice reform. A sought-after speaker and activist, she shares her inspiring message of hope and redemption while cherishing time with her two children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Her remarkable journey from wrongful conviction to transformational leader demonstrates how one voice, even from behind bars, can ignite lasting change.
