Andrew Gorrie/Stuff Helen Kelly died of lung cancer in 2016, but her legacy as an activist and the Council of Trade Unions’ first female president lives on in health and safety law reform. “Helen Kelly was a fearless activist and leader,” Martin said. “That’s why this book honours her and [we] honour her by attending its [local launch].” Before Kelly’s death in 2016, at age 52 from lung cancer, she served as Council of Trade Unions' president for a decade. She spent most of her adult life fighting for workers’ rights and her life was inseparable from the history of the modern union movement.