Two months before her death, Richards was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Joe Biden.

Richards was a major force in Texas and national politics. Like her mother, former governor Ann Richards, Cecile spent most of her life rallying for progressive causes. Richards was a labor organizer, a staffer to Representative Nancy Pelosi, and then president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018.

The activist modernized Planned Parenthood and transformed the organization into a formidable political player.

What her famous mother did as Texas governor, Cecile carried on by standing up a range of progressive and pro-choice organizations.

Cecile Richards devoted her life to political activism in the fight for equal rights, most notably the rights of women to reproductive health.

I am heartbroken by the passing of my friend and mentor Cecile Richards,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. Robinson called Richards “a giant in the fight for freedom — an unwavering advocate for reproductive,

Cecile Richards died Monday after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, her family said in a statement.

Richards, the eldest daughter of Gov. Ann Richards, forged her own path as a tireless advocate for women across Texas and the United States.

She oversaw the United States’ largest provider of reproductive health care and sex education from 2006 to 2018.

Richards was a Waco native and the daughter of the late Gov. Ann Richards. She was also Beto O'Rourke's national finance chair during his run for governor.

Richards, the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Cecile Richards, a lifelong advocate ...