Richards, the daughter of late Texas Governor Ann Richards, received a diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, in 2023, five years after stepping down from her role at Planned Parenthood. During her tenure as the head of the organization, which provides not only abortion services but also birth control, cancer screenings, and STD testing, she faced significant opposition from social conservatives due to Planned Parenthood’s position as the leading abortion provider in the U.S.
Under her leadership, Planned Parenthood experienced growth in membership, financial support, and political influence. She became a formidable figure against critics, famously defending the organization during a 2015 congressional inquiry, where she faced challenging questions from Republican house members regarding their policies on abortion and fetal tissue. In later years, she vocally criticized the Supreme Court’s decisions, warning that inaction on strict abortion laws could threaten judicial oversight on reproductive rights. Following the court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, she continued to advocate passionately for women’s reproductive health.
Born on July 15, 1957, in Waco, Texas, Richards earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Brown University, where she made headlines by protesting the school’s investments in South Africa at her graduation. She reflected on her college experience, stating, “One of the more popular buttons of the day was ‘Question Authority,’ and I feel like we did that every single day.” She emphasized that her time at Brown instilled in her the belief that individuals can effect significant change.
Following her graduation, Richards dedicated herself to organizing low-wage workers across different states before returning to Texas to support her mother’s gubernatorial campaign in 1990. In 2004, she helped found America Votes and later worked as the deputy chief of staff for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Pelosi honored Richards by expressing her admiration, remarking on her keen intellect and strategic prowess, while also prioritizing women’s rights. President Joe Biden, who awarded Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November, called her a leader of great integrity and commitment. He remarked, “Cecile fearlessly led us forward to be the America we say we are,” highlighting her advocacy for civil rights, worker dignity, and reproductive rights.
After her tenure at Planned Parenthood, Richards co-chaired American Bridge, focusing on liberal initiatives and engaging in opposition research against Republicans. She also initiated a project utilizing social media to highlight personal narratives related to the repercussions of abortion restrictions.
Current Planned Parenthood Federation of America president, Alexis McGill Johnson, referred to Richards as an “indomitable force.” She emphasized the importance of the movement that Richards built and encouraged supporters to honor her legacy by continuing to fight for patients across the country.
Richards is survived by her husband, two daughters, a son, and a grandson. During her speech at the Democratic National Convention, she shared her joy about becoming a grandmother in 2023 and celebrated Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, remarking, “When women are free to make their own decisions about their lives and to follow our dreams, we are unstoppable.”
