St. Stephen's Alum and Former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards '75 Dies at Age 67
Cecile Richards ’75, a tireless advocate for women’s rights passed away on January 20, 2025 after a brave battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. She was surrounded by her family and her beloved dog, Ollie.
Born in Waco, Texas, Cecile was the eldest daughter of Ann Richards, the trailblazing Democratic governor of Texas, and David Richards, a civil rights lawyer. She spent her early years immersed in social justice causes, often alongside her mother, who instilled in her a deep commitment to political activism. After graduating from St. Stephen’s in 1975, she earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University.
A passionate advocate for reproductive rights, Cecile rose to prominence through her leadership at Planned Parenthood, where she served as president from 2006 to 2018. Cecile's dedication to women’s rights extended beyond her work with Planned Parenthood. She founded the Texas Freedom Network, organized progressive grassroots campaigns, and advocated for reproductive justice through initiatives like the Supermajority project and the Charley abortion information chatbot. Even after her diagnosis in 2023, Cecile continued her advocacy, amplifying the voices of women impacted by abortion bans and working to ensure access to critical health information.
She was a steadfast voice for women across the country and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 for her lifelong commitment to public service. Cecile's legacy will live on in her profound impact on women’s rights, healthcare access and Democratic politics.
Cecile is survived by her husband, Kirk Adams, and their three children, Lily, Hannah and Daniel. A celebration of her life will be held in the coming days. Please keep Cecile’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
The black and white photo was scanned from Cecile's senior page in the 1975 St. Stephen's yearbook.
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Born in Waco, Texas, Cecile was the eldest daughter of Ann Richards, the trailblazing Democratic governor of Texas, and David Richards, a civil rights lawyer. She spent her early years immersed in social justice causes, often alongside her mother, who instilled in her a deep commitment to political activism. After graduating from St. Stephen’s in 1975, she earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University.
A passionate advocate for reproductive rights, Cecile rose to prominence through her leadership at Planned Parenthood, where she served as president from 2006 to 2018. Cecile's dedication to women’s rights extended beyond her work with Planned Parenthood. She founded the Texas Freedom Network, organized progressive grassroots campaigns, and advocated for reproductive justice through initiatives like the Supermajority project and the Charley abortion information chatbot. Even after her diagnosis in 2023, Cecile continued her advocacy, amplifying the voices of women impacted by abortion bans and working to ensure access to critical health information.
She was a steadfast voice for women across the country and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 for her lifelong commitment to public service. Cecile's legacy will live on in her profound impact on women’s rights, healthcare access and Democratic politics.
Cecile is survived by her husband, Kirk Adams, and their three children, Lily, Hannah and Daniel. A celebration of her life will be held in the coming days. Please keep Cecile’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
The black and white photo was scanned from Cecile's senior page in the 1975 St. Stephen's yearbook.
Address: 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 327-1213
Phone: (512) 327-1213