Former president of Planned Parenthood and Presidential Medal of Freedom laureate Cecile Richards has passed away: memory of the activist, fighter for women’s rights
21 january 2025 в 05:37
Cecile Richards, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2012, and former president of Planned Parenthood, passed away at the age of 67 on January 20, 2025, as reported by CBS News. On the same day, her husband Kirk Adams and their three children Lily, Hannah, and Daniel mourned her passing in a touching statement on social media. «This morning our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by family and her faithful dog Ollie. Our hearts are broken today, but no words can convey the joy she brought into our lives», - the statement read, accompanied by a carousel of photos from her life.
«We are grateful to the doctors and healthcare workers who provided her with excellent care, as well as to friends, family, and well-wishers who were there during this difficult time. If you want to celebrate Cecile today, we invite you to play New Orleans music, gather with friends and family for a good meal, and remember what she often said in the last year: 'It's not hard to imagine that future generations will one day ask: 'When so much was at stake for our country, what did you do?' The only acceptable answer: 'Everything we could'».
Below you will learn five things about the activist and her life of public service.
Born in Waco, Texas, Cecile was always destined for a prominent position — her mother was former Texas Governor Ann Richards. After graduating from Brown University, she became one of the most well-known feminists in the country. She became president of Planned Parenthood in 2006 — a role she held for twelve years, finally passing on the position to Leana Wen in 2018. She also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Nancy Pelosi.
According to CBS News, the activist fought glioblastoma (brain cancer) her entire life and was diagnosed in 2023. She openly discussed this issue on social media and in a January 2024 interview with The Cut. At that time, she explained why she felt the need to continue fighting for women’s rights during her own battle for life.
«These last months have been filled with treatment — but also trips to Maine, Texas, and New Orleans, time with my husband, three amazing children, a new grandchild, and loyal dog Ollie, excursions to see the Flaco owl in Central Park, endless detective novels and old movies, and the work that I am so happy to continue to do», - she wrote in part on Instagram. «In my experience, cancer suddenly fills you with deep understandings of life. It makes very clear what is important. And there is no more important work right now than fighting for abortion rights».
She continued: «I believe, as always, that activism, organization, and problem-solving are a great way to spend your one wild and precious life. After all, as my mother used to say: 'Why should your life be only about you?'». She concluded: «I have felt happy all my life, and now I feel happy: to be here, to do this work, alongside all of you».
Cecile was the wife of Kirk Adams and the mother of Lily Adams, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the US Department of the Treasury, Daniel Adams, and Hannah Adams. She was also the grandmother of Lily’s first child, who was born when Cecile received the diagnosis that ultimately took her life, according to The Cut.
In November 2024, just two months before her death, Cecile was awarded a rare honor. President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a private ceremony. «Continuing the torch of her parents for justice, she led some of our nation’s most important civil rights cases — to raise the dignity of workers, protect and promote reproductive rights and women’s equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their voting power», - the commendation read at the ceremony, according to ABC News. «A leader of the highest character, she leaves an inspiring legacy that
«We are grateful to the doctors and healthcare workers who provided her with excellent care, as well as to friends, family, and well-wishers who were there during this difficult time. If you want to celebrate Cecile today, we invite you to play New Orleans music, gather with friends and family for a good meal, and remember what she often said in the last year: 'It's not hard to imagine that future generations will one day ask: 'When so much was at stake for our country, what did you do?' The only acceptable answer: 'Everything we could'».
Below you will learn five things about the activist and her life of public service.
Born in Waco, Texas, Cecile was always destined for a prominent position — her mother was former Texas Governor Ann Richards. After graduating from Brown University, she became one of the most well-known feminists in the country. She became president of Planned Parenthood in 2006 — a role she held for twelve years, finally passing on the position to Leana Wen in 2018. She also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Nancy Pelosi.
According to CBS News, the activist fought glioblastoma (brain cancer) her entire life and was diagnosed in 2023. She openly discussed this issue on social media and in a January 2024 interview with The Cut. At that time, she explained why she felt the need to continue fighting for women’s rights during her own battle for life.
«These last months have been filled with treatment — but also trips to Maine, Texas, and New Orleans, time with my husband, three amazing children, a new grandchild, and loyal dog Ollie, excursions to see the Flaco owl in Central Park, endless detective novels and old movies, and the work that I am so happy to continue to do», - she wrote in part on Instagram. «In my experience, cancer suddenly fills you with deep understandings of life. It makes very clear what is important. And there is no more important work right now than fighting for abortion rights».
She continued: «I believe, as always, that activism, organization, and problem-solving are a great way to spend your one wild and precious life. After all, as my mother used to say: 'Why should your life be only about you?'». She concluded: «I have felt happy all my life, and now I feel happy: to be here, to do this work, alongside all of you».
Cecile was the wife of Kirk Adams and the mother of Lily Adams, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the US Department of the Treasury, Daniel Adams, and Hannah Adams. She was also the grandmother of Lily’s first child, who was born when Cecile received the diagnosis that ultimately took her life, according to The Cut.
In November 2024, just two months before her death, Cecile was awarded a rare honor. President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a private ceremony. «Continuing the torch of her parents for justice, she led some of our nation’s most important civil rights cases — to raise the dignity of workers, protect and promote reproductive rights and women’s equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their voting power», - the commendation read at the ceremony, according to ABC News. «A leader of the highest character, she leaves an inspiring legacy that
© Artemenko Olga
