Longtime Planned Parental Head Cecil Richards died at 67 – AOL

Cecil Richards, the former president of planned parenting, died at the age of 67 on Monday after a cancer battle.

“This morning, our beloved Cecile died at home surrounded by his family and her increasingly loyal dog Olli,” Richards’ family wrote in a statement. “Our hearts are broken today, but no words can cope with the joy it brought to our lives.”

President Biden, who honored Richards with a freedom medal in November, has identified an abortion activist as a fearless civil right cause champion.

“Cecil fearlessly led us to be America we say we are. Wearing her mother’s torch for justice, she supports some of the most important causes of civil rights of our country, “he wrote in a statement.

Richards is the daughter of Anne Richards, who was the first woman to be chosen as governor of Texas. The long -time activist joined the planned parenting in 2006 and has led the non -profit organization for 12 years. She left her post in 2018 and later founded a gender justice organization called Supermajority.

“She is fighting for the dignity of workers, defending and advanced reproductive rights and equality of women, and mobilizing our fellow Americans to exercise their power to vote,” Biden continued. “She was a leader of the greatest nature and I know that her inheritance would continue to inspire upcoming generations.”

Vice President Harris also shared his condolences to Richards on Monday, emphasizing her “heritage that will continue to inspire the generations to come.”

“I have known Cecil for decades and I stood side by side with her in many battles,” Harris says in a statement. “What I know is true is that at this point she would like to honor it by redirecting ourselves to the struggle for fundamental freedoms. Let us roll up our sleeves and make it proud. “

Prior to his role in planned parenting, Richards served as Deputy Chief of Staff of former speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) And founded the votes of America, a group that seeks to increase the registration and participation of voters.

Pelosi described Richards as “commander leader” and “great champion of women, girls and working families.”

“As my deputy headquarters, when I was a democratic whip and a leader, it was a critical part of the guarantee that the Pelosi team remains related to the needs and priorities of the main ones,” Pelosi wrote in a statement “While ascended to other leadership roles, We have never stopped working together to protect the rights of women and working families. “

Richards, who spoke at last year’s democratic national convention, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023, which is the same type of cancer that Biden Beau’s son died in 2015.

“We are grateful to the doctors and healthcare professionals who provided her with excellent care and friends, family and well -wishers who have been there for her during this challenging time,” writes Richards’ family on Monday.

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