PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. (AP) - It's been nearly 10 years since Minnesota native Dru Sjodin was abducted from the parking lot of a Grand Forks, N.D., mall by a known sex offender.

While feelings of grief and loss are still very real, Sjodin's mother Linda Walker has spent the last decade working to empower women - as a promise to her daughter.

Reports say that Walker has dedicated her time to public speaking, lobbying politicians and attending hearings to make sure that what happened to Sjodin doesn't happen to others.

Walker recently joined the debate over Minnesota's sex offender program. She is urging officials not to weaken its laws that keep sex offenders in custody.

Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. has been sentenced to death for killing Sjodin.

More From AM 1240 WJON