Two months before her death, Richards was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Joe Biden.

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.

The activist modernized Planned Parenthood and transformed the organization into a formidable political player.

What her famous mother did as Texas governor, Cecile carried on by standing up a range of progressive and pro-choice organizations.

Cecile Richards devoted her life to political activism in the fight for equal rights, most notably the rights of women to reproductive health.

Richards, the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year.

former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, also a political activist. "Cecile fearlessly led us forward to be the America we say we are," Mr. Biden said in a statement. "Carrying her mom's torch for justice, she championed some of our Nation's most important civil ...

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

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

Richards was a Waco native and the daughter of the late Gov. Ann Richards. She was also Beto O'Rourke's national finance chair during his run for governor.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Cecile Richards, a lifelong advocate ...

Cecile Richards, a national leader for abortion access and women’s rights who led Planned Parenthood for 12 tumultuous years, has died. She was 67. Richards died Monday at home “surrounded by family and her ever-loyal dog, Ollie,” her family said in a statement.