The late Cecile Richards transformed Planned Parenthood as its longtime president—while steadfastly defending the organization against antiabortion attacks.

May 3, 2025
by Ellen Chesler

In fall 2015, Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards was called to appear before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. For months, antiabortion activists had circulated deceptively edited videos with the bogus claim that Planned Parenthood was unlawfully profiting from the sale of fetal tissue. Republicans in control of the chamber seized on this implausible accusation as an excuse to defund the organization that for decades had steadfastly provided family planning services and healthcare of the highest quality as a trusted government contractor.

Antiabortion protesters packed the hearing room, alongside Planned Parenthood supporters and a large platoon of newspaper reporters and TV correspondents, including, of course, those of Fox News. Retaining her composure throughout, Richards calmly parried rapid-fire questions and endured constant interruptions from Republicans (including one, in particular, who displayed little interest in the facts)—just looking to score points with their base. For everyone else, however, she provided a compelling lesson about the humane and often lifesaving services Planned Parenthood provides, including cancer screenings, birth control and, yes, abortion.

Continued: https://msmagazine.com/2025/05/03/remembering-cecile-richards-planned-parenthood-abortion-women-politics/