Cecile Richards

Roots of Resistance: Early Life

Cecile Richards was a part organiser, part firebrand and part mother who was entirely unstoppable. Best known as the former president of Planned Parenthood and one of the most influential voices in the American reproductive rights movement, Richards’ life reads like a story written in bold print. Raised in a household steeped in activism, she turned protest into a profession and never stopped challenging systems that left people behind. Whether marching in the streets, testifying before Congress, or training the next generation of organisers, Cecile Richards has spent her life standing at the intersection of justice and action.

Cecile Richards was practically born with a protest sign in her hand. The daughter of labour and civil rights activist Ann Richards—who would later become the second female governor of Texas—and civil rights attorney David Richards, Cecile grew up in a home where politics weren’t just dinnertime conversation; they were family tradition. Born in Waco, Texas, in 1957 and raised in Dallas, she saw firsthand what it meant to challenge power structures in the conservative heart of the South.

One of her earliest acts of rebellion came in junior high, when she wore a black armband to protest the Vietnam War. Her school threatened suspension, but Cecile stood her ground. That moment didn’t just mark the beginning of her activism but foreshadowed a life spent refusing to back down, even when the stakes were high.

Shaped by Education, Fueled by Purpose

Richards attended Brown University, where she studied history and honed her organising instincts. But what she learned outside the classroom often proved just as critical. While in college, she interned for feminist icon Bella Abzug and volunteered for labour unions, gaining hands-on experience in grassroots advocacy and political organising.

At Brown, she also met her future husband, Kirk Adams, a fellow activist and labour organiser. The two would go on to form a family rooted in shared values of justice, equity, and action.

Building a Movement: The Career of Cecile Richards

The Early Years: Organising from the Ground Up

Before she led one of the most high-profile health organisations in the country, Richards was a behind-the-scenes powerhouse. Her early career took her into the heart of labour organising, where she fought for fair wages and safe conditions for hotel and garment workers. In 1980, she moved back to Texas and helped form the Texas Freedom Network, a watchdog group against religious extremism in public schools.

It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was essential. And Cecile thrived in it. She had the rare combination of tactical smarts and moral clarity, which made her a sought-after strategist on Democratic campaigns and progressive causes alike.

The Power Years: Leading Planned Parenthood

In 2006, Richards stepped into a role that would define her public identity: President of Planned Parenthood. For over a decade, she helmed the organisation during some of its most politically charged years. Under her leadership, Planned Parenthood grew its reach, modernised its digital presence, and provided health services to millions, often in communities where there were few, if any, other options.

One defining moment came in 2015, when Richards was called before Congress after a series of misleading videos attempted to discredit Planned Parenthood. Calm, fierce, and unflinching, she defended the organisation with a clarity that turned heads and rallied supporters. Her testimony became a rallying cry for reproductive rights in the face of growing legislative attacks.

During her tenure, Richards defended and expanded it. She championed the use of telemedicine in reproductive healthcare and helped the organisation navigate turbulent political waters while staying true to its mission.

The Next Chapter: A Call to Organise

After stepping down in 2018, Richards didn’t retire—she reloaded. That same year, she published her memoir Make Trouble, part personal reflection and part activist handbook. The title, fittingly, echoes her life’s ethos.

She also co-founded Supermajority, an organisation aimed at building a multiracial, intergenerational movement for women's political power. With Supermajority, she shifted her focus from healthcare alone to a broader vision of equity, leadership, and civic participation, especially for women who have historically been left out of political power.

Her Personal Life

Despite her high-profile roles, Cecile Richards has always been grounded in family. She and her husband raised three children, and she often speaks about the challenges and joys of parenting while organising. Friends and colleagues describe her as both strategic and warm—a leader who remembers birthdays, not just ballots.

A lesser-known quirk: she’s a die-hard fan of organising tools. Colour-coded post-its, spreadsheets, and campaign calendars are her love language. And yes, she still writes thank-you notes by hand.

A Legacy of Unapologetic Advocacy

Cecile Richards will be remembered not just as a leader but as a catalyst. She transformed how America talks about reproductive rights—not as a fringe issue, but as fundamental to freedom. She made activism accessible, inviting young women, women of colour, and LGBTQ+ voices to take the mic and lead the march.

Her legacy isn’t just in laws changed or institutions led but in the countless people she empowered to speak up, organise, and, as she would say, make trouble.

Cecile Richards has spent her life turning resistance into results. And in doing so, she’s helped countless others find their voice, their courage, and their power.