12 hours Ago
AUSTIN, Texas — Cecile Richards, the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, is the latest recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom to Richards, a longtime abortion rights activist who served as the president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 until 2018.
During Wednesday's ceremony, Biden praised Richards, saying she has “led some of our Nation’s most important civil rights causes — 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.” "Such an honor representing abortion rights and the need for health care for all," Richards said in a post on the social media platform X . "@POTUS and @FLOTUS, thank you for all you’ve done to support women’s health and rights.
Here’s to the work ahead!" Richards was born in Waco and attended St. Stephen's Episcopal in Austin. During her time at Planned Parenthood, Richards worked to increase access to affordable reproductive health care nationwide and helped push the Democratic Party to embrace abortion rights as a cornerstone political issue.
After leaving Planned Parenthood, Richards co-founded Supermajority, an organization that focuses on gender equality. She also co-chairs the super PAC American Bridge 21st Century, which focuses on opposition research against Republican candidates. Richards was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in 2023.
People with the condition are expected to live for only up to a year and a half after being diagnosed..
