Cecile Richards, the previous head of Deliberate Parenthood, has died on the age of 67 after a battle with glioblastoma. She died simply hours earlier than President Donald Trump’s second inauguration started on Monday, January 20. Richards was a fierce advocate for girls’s healthcare and abortion rights in the USA, and Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court docket justices he appointed.
“This morning our beloved Cecile handed away at dwelling, surrounded by her household and her ever-loyal canine, Ollie,” her household mentioned in a press release. “Our hearts are damaged in the present day however no phrases can do justice to the enjoyment she delivered to our lives.” The assertion added that the household was “grateful to the medical doctors and well being care staff who offered her wonderful care and the buddies, household, and well-wishers who’ve been by her facet throughout this difficult time.”
Richards was identified with glioblastoma, an aggressive mind most cancers, in 2023. She revealed the prognosis to The Reduce in 2024.
Deliberate Parenthood describes itself as “the nation’s main supplier and advocate of high-quality, reasonably priced sexual and reproductive well being look after all folks, in addition to the nation’s largest supplier of intercourse training.” Richards served as its president for 12 years from 2006 to 2018.
For many who need to honor Richards’ life, her household’s assertion says they “invite you to placed on some New Orleans jazz, collect with family and friends over a great meal.” The assertion concluded with a quote from Richards: “It’s not onerous to think about future generations someday asking: ‘When there was a lot at stake for our nation, what did you do?’ The one acceptable reply is: ‘The whole lot we might.’”
Deliberate Parenthood additionally invoked a Richards quote in its social media tribute to its former president.
We’re heartbroken to lose the indomitable pressure that’s our former president, Cecile Richards. In her 12 devoted years of service to our org, she introduced us to new heights in our well being care, training, and advocacy work.
She was the embodiment of “Care, it doesn’t matter what.” https://t.co/4SiosVpba8
— Deliberate Parenthood (@PPFA) January 20, 2025
“We’re heartbroken to lose the indomitable pressure that’s our former president, Cecile Richards,” the group wrote on X/Twitter. “In her 12 devoted years of service to our org, she introduced us to new heights in our well being care, training, and advocacy work. She was the embodiment of ‘Care, it doesn’t matter what.’ Because the reproductive freedom motion navigates unchartered territory, we all know Cecile would inform us one of the best ways to honor her reminiscence is to go well with up (in pink!), hyperlink arms, and battle like hell for the well being and rights of all folks.”
Richards was the daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards and labored as deputy chief of employees for Consultant Nancy Pelosi earlier than changing into president of Deliberate Parenthood in 2006. She remained within the place till 2018. Her ultimate years within the position noticed her going through off with Trump as his administration tried to limit entry to Deliberate Parenthood companies.
Richards appeared as herself on many TV packages all through her profession, oftentimes showing on information packages like Morning Joe, The ReidOut, Deadline: White Home, Anderson Cooper 360, The Each day Present, and extra. She additionally appeared on High Chef. She additionally spoke through the 2024 Democratic Nationwide Conference in Chicago.