(Photo Courtesy of Planned Parenthood Federation of America)
Cecile Richards, advocate for and face of women’s reproductive rights and former president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, has died. She was 67, and the cause of death was brain cancer.
Richards announced earlier this year that she’d been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of the disease.
Richards led Planned Parenthood for 12 years, having joined the organization in 2006. She most recently was a board member of the Ford Foundation and was a co-founder of the advocacy group Supermajority. She was founder and CEO of American Votes for the three years prior to joining Planned Parenthood. She was selected three times by The NonProfit Times for the Power & Influence Top 50, the most influential leaders in the nonprofit sector.
President Joseph R. Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom this past November in a private ceremony at the White House. In the announcement, Biden was quoted as saying: “Through her work to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their power to vote, she has carved an inspiring legacy.”
Her death was announced by her family via social media: “This morning our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her ever-loyal dog, Ollie. Our hearts are broken but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives.”
Planned Parenthood released a statement via social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “We are heartbroken to lose the indomitable force that is our former president, Cecile Richards. In her 12 devoted years of service to our org, she brought us to new heights in our health care, education, and advocacy work. She was the embodiment of ‘Care, no matter what.’”
Current Planned Parenthood Federation of America President & CEO Alexis McGill Johnson released a statement calling Richards “an indomitable force.” The statement continued: “We are heartbroken to lose a giant in the fight for reproductive freedom. As we continue to navigate uncharted territory, we will be able to meet the challenges we face in large part because of the movement Cecile built over decades. I know, without a doubt, that Cecile would tell us the best way to honor her memory is to suit up — preferably in pink — link arms, and fight like hell for Planned Parenthood patients across the country.”
Biden said via a social media posting, “Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cecile Richards. Cecile fearlessly led us forward to be the America we say we are. Carrying her mom’s torch for justice, she championed some of our Nation’s most important civil rights cases.” Biden was making reference to Ann Richards, the former governor of Texas who was known for her leadership and sharp oratorical tone.
