Cecile Richards: A Life Dedicated to Women's Rights and Progress

Cecile Richards, a prominent figure in the fight for women's rights, passed away at the age of 67 after a battle with brain cancer. Known for her leadership at Planned Parenthood, Richards left a lasting impact on reproductive healthcare and politics. Her mother, Ann Richards, was a political legend in Texas, and Cecile carried on her legacy, becoming a household name in the abortion rights movement. Richards' career took off when she became president of Planned Parenthood in 2006. Under her direction, the organization became a significant player in Democratic politics and faced numerous attempts to defund it. Despite these challenges, Richards steered Planned Parenthood into a formidable political force, making support for abortion rights a key issue for Democratic candidates. A pivotal moment in her career occurred in 2015 when secret recordings, later found to be doctored, were released, purportedly showing Planned Parenthood workers discussing the sale of fetal tissue. These recordings sparked congressional and state investigations, none of which could substantiate the claims. Richards was grilled by House Republicans during a highly publicized hearing, but she stood resolute in her defense of the organization. After leaving Planned Parenthood in 2018, Richards founded Supermajority, an organization aimed at championing women's leadership. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Richards started Charley, a bot to help abortion seekers, and Abortion in America, a campaign to share stories post-Roe. Her efforts earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024, the highest civilian honor in the US. Richards was born in Waco, Texas, and raised in Dallas and Austin. Her involvement in politics began early, influenced by her progressive parents. She attended Brown University and worked as a labor organizer in Louisiana before moving back to Texas to support her mother's gubernatorial campaign. Inspired by Ann Richards' political spirit, Cecile founded the Texas Freedom Network in 1995. In Washington DC, Richards served as Nancy Pelosi's deputy chief of staff and helped establish America Votes, a voting rights coalition. Her tenure at Planned Parenthood was marked by significant expansion in fundraising and state-level organizing, making the organization a powerful political player. Even after her brain cancer diagnosis in 2023, Richards remained active in leftwing causes. She co-chaired American Bridge 21st Century and supported Kamala Harris at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Richards' family encouraged those honoring her memory to consider the question, "When there was so much at stake for our country, what did you do? "