Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) has announced that Cecile Richards will be its next president. Richards, a native of Texas, is currently President of America Votes and previously served on the boards of Planned Parenthood Action Fund and NARAL Pro-Choice America. She has also worked as deputy chief of staff for Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. A longtime feminist activist in the Washington, DC area who is very familiar with national politics, Richards will head an organization that provides health care and education for nearly five million people every year. The daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, Richards is also very familiar with state and local politics, and as head of the America Votes, was involved with progressive coalitions in many states.
“It is a great honor to assume the leadership of an organization that stands for the very freedoms embraced by the majority of Americans; the ability to decide when and whether to have children; and the importance of privacy, safety and access to health care,” said Richards.
Former president Gloria Feldt resigned in January after nearly ten years at the head of PPFA and Karen Pearl, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Nassau County, has been serving as interim president. Pearl said of Richards, “Planned Parenthood has chosen a dynamic leader who will be an important voice of advocating for reproductive freedom around the world.”
