Richards was a major force in Texas and national politics. Like her mother, former governor Ann Richards, Cecile spent most of her life rallying for progressive causes. Richards was a labor organizer, a staffer to Representative Nancy Pelosi, and then president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018.

Ten days before the 2016 election, I was standing in a cinderblock room in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with Cecile Richards and other leaders of prominent women’s groups, all of us out to make the case for Hillary Clinton’s historic run for President.

As we mourn the loss of activist, organizer, and former president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, I offer words of wisdom she shared with me in our interviews over the years.

I am heartbroken by the passing of my friend and mentor Cecile Richards,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. Robinson called Richards “a giant in the fight for freedom — an unwavering advocate for reproductive,

Cecile Richards, a national leader for women’s rights who led Planned Parenthood for 12 tumultuous years, has died. She was 67.

Richards, the eldest daughter of Gov. Ann Richards, forged her own path as a tireless advocate for women across Texas and the United States.

She oversaw the United States’ largest provider of reproductive health care and sex education from 2006 to 2018.

Cecile Richards died Monday after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, her family said in a statement.

Cecile Richards, a national leader for women’s rights who led Planned Parenthood for 12 tumultuous years, has died

Cecile Richards, former Planned Parenthood president and progressive activist, died Jan. 20 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 67.

Catch up on the political news of the past week in the latest At the Races newsletter, including on abortion politics and 2026 updates.