History of Cecile Richards in Timeline
Cecile Richards is a prominent American activist who led Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its Action Fund from 2006 to 2018. During her tenure, she became a recognized figure in the reproductive rights movement. Beyond her work with Planned Parenthood, Richards joined the Ford Foundation's board of trustees in 2010. More recently, in 2019, she co-founded Supermajority, a political action group focused on women's issues.
July 15, 1957: Birth of Cecile Richards
Cecile Richards was born in Waco, Texas on July 15, 1957.
January 1971: Honorary Page to Texas State Legislator
At age 13, Cecile Richards was an honorary page to the Texas State Legislator in January 1971.
1980: Graduation from Brown University
Cecile Richards graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Brown University in 1980.
1996: Founded Texas Freedom Network
In 1996, Cecile Richards founded the Texas Freedom Network.
2003: Contribution to "Sisterhood Is Forever"
Cecile Richards contributed the piece "Combating the Religious Right" to the 2003 anthology "Sisterhood Is Forever: The Women's Anthology for a New Millennium".
2006: President of Planned Parenthood
In 2006, Cecile Richards became the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
2010: Ford Foundation Board of Trustees
Cecile Richards was elected to the Ford Foundation board of trustees in 2010.
2018: Departure from Planned Parenthood and Memoir Publication
Cecile Richards stepped down as president of Planned Parenthood in 2018. The same year, she published her memoir, "Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead".
April 2019: Co-founded Supermajority
Cecile Richards co-founded the political action group Supermajority in April 2019.
2019: Co-founder of Supermajority
In 2019, Cecile Richards co-founded Supermajority, a women's political action group.
2020: Supermajority's Goal for 2020 Elections
Supermajority aimed to influence the 2020 elections by training women and promoting a women's political agenda.
2023: Glioblastoma Diagnosis
Cecile Richards was diagnosed with glioblastoma in mid-2023.
November 20, 2024: Received Presidential Medal of Freedom
Cecile Richards received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden on November 20, 2024.
January 20, 2025: Death of Cecile Richards
Cecile Richards passed away on January 20, 2025.