A recent Taliban attack at a popular restaurant in Afghanistan killed 21 people on Friday including Chicago native Lexie Kamerman.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, family members say the 27 year old was working as a student development specialist at the American University in Kabul  to help the women of Afghanistan.

The paper also reports that Kamerman, who grew up in the Wrigleyville area, was a graduate of the Latin School of Chicago and attended Knox College.

Kamerman had a three year commitment to the University and one of her goals was to inspire young women to continue their education.

She had just returned to Afghanistan after visiting her family in Chicago over the holidays.