Kathleen was born in Fairfax, Virginia on October 13, 1971 to Francis J. M. and Romaine Brust Sullivan. She grew up in Del Mar California where she graduated high school in 1989. Kathleen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993, an International Relations major.

To know Kathleen fully, was to know the movement she was a part of and the collectives she helped to build and through which she herself developed. Kathleen had dedicated her life to building the movement to end poverty, and in particular to guaranteeing the leadership of the poor in the movement. She played a major role in bringing students into the movement, and giving them an example of how they could play a real role. Every day this dedication involved her in the following organizations: the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, Empty the Shelters – a national student organization she helped ally with KWRU and other organizations led by the poor, the Annie Smart Leadership Development Institute, the Annie Smart Foundation, the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Union of the Homeless, United In Strength, Youth Against Poverty, the National Up and Out of Poverty Now Campaign, the National Organizing Committee, and others.

Kathleen had great anger and rage for a world that destroyed humanity. For her this was not abstract. She knew, saw, and experienced this injustice of poverty in the concrete. She was passionate about learning, studying, and understanding the world around her, both locally and international, so as to change this world. Kathleen was about fundamental social change, nothing less. She worked for a society free from human miser and suffering. Her study and her work taught her that today, more than ever; such a society is possible. Kathleen inspired those around her with that vision.

This was the reason for her hard work. Kathleen was intentional and conscious. Her commitment was clear. She saw further, felt deeper, and fought harder. She was a leader and understood the true definition of leadership—the development of other leaders.
Kathleen radiated joy. She enjoyed living and did it to the fullest. Kathleen walked the walk and danced the dance. What Kathleen gave herself was chocolate, coffee, dancing, color pens, and music. What she gave others was immense. Even in her passing, Kathleen gave life to seven people through organ donation. She lives on and continues to give to the many she influenced. It is the responsibility of us all to carry forward the struggle to which she dedicated her life.

Kathleen passed away in the Spring of 1995 after being struck on her bike by a drunk driver. Her memory continues to inspire us and drive us forward.

Read more about student involvement in the movement