President Biden awarded on Wednesday the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cecile Richards, an abortion rights activist and former president of Deliberate Parenthood.
Throughout a personal ceremony, Biden stated Richards has “led some of our Nation’s most important civil rights causes — to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their power to vote.”
Richards left Deliberate Parenthood in 2018 after main the group for 12 years, the place she labored to extend inexpensive entry to reproductive well being care and helped push the Democratic Occasion to embrace abortion rights as a key problem.
After her departure, she co-founded a progressive group known as Supermajority that fights for gender fairness. Richards additionally serves as co-chair of the tremendous PAC American Bridge twenty first Century.
Richards was recognized in 2023 with a glioblastoma, a uncommon and aggressive type of mind tumor. The common glioblastoma survival time is barely 12 to 18 months.
Biden’s son Beau died from glioblastoma in 2015.
The Medal of Freedom is given on the discretion of the president to a civilian who has made an “especially meritorious contribution” to the nation.
“A leader of utmost character, she has carved an inspiring legacy that endures in her incredible family, the countless lives she has made better, and a nation seeking the light of equality, justice, and freedom,” Biden stated of Richards.
Richards is the daughter of Ann Richards, who was the primary girl to be elected governor of Texas.
Biden has beforehand awarded the medal to dozens of individuals, together with civil rights icons, outstanding political leaders like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D), Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), gymnast Simone Biles and actor Michelle Yeoh.
