Planned Parenthood CEO at Cecile Richards Legacy

It has been. . . a week.

President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term, and we watched as he began to roll back protections against our basic rights. Tuesday was the 8th anniversary of the Women’s March, largest single protest event in American history.

And my friend, predecessor and one of the fiercest champions of our rights – former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards – died after her battle with brain cancer.

For many people, the image that comes to mind when you think of Cecile From day 2015 When she sat in front of one Most hostile US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for five hours, with mostly hostile questions accusing Planned Parenthood of wrongdoing.

The hearing had the opposite effect of what was intended by opponents of abortion rights. Cecile left that hearing with even more people who knew what Planned Parenthood does. They heard from her about the breadth of sexual and reproductive health care services and the education and compassion of providers and staff. Planned Parenthood gained supporters, with poll after poll showing that Wake up the majority of the people are with us.

That’s still true today, nearly a decade later. As Planned Parenthood now faces more hostile territory and threats to patient care under a second Trump administration, The majority of voters do not support politicians who remove access to birth controlWellness exams and cancer screenings for people with low incomes.

And we know that the majority of voters also do not want to see politicians banning abortion, whether through legislation, the courts, or the closing of Planned Parenthood Health Centers. But as Cecile reminded us, we can never underestimate those willing to trade our rights despite what is popular.

I won’t sugarcoat it: we’re in a bad situation. About 39 percent of women of reproductive age—more than 25 million women—live in 19 States with abortion bans. Women have died because this public health crisis has made it more dangerous to be pregnant in America. The lawmakers who made this mess now lead the country and are bound to make it worse.

The challenges ahead can seem daunting, especially since we don’t yet have the full picture of what attacks on reproductive freedom are coming our way. With all its expected chaotic energy, the Trump administration has already moved quickly to attack immigrants, transgender peopleracial and gender equality and equality and right to vote.

But together we are stronger than any challenge that comes our way. Planned Parenthood has never backed down from a fight. We’re not coming now.

It’s been a tough, tough week. If you are Feels like it’s too muchit’s ok. Feel the weight of it and let it push your feet into the ground and ground you for what’s to come. It’s not too much to carry if we share the load.

Over and over this week I have been reminded of how many Cecile drew into this fight. She mentored tough, badass people who are today leaders of national and local human rights organizations. They are members of Congress. They are sex educators or community organizers. Watching them share their stories this week about how Cecile showed them her power reminded me: none of us are alone in this fight.

Share information from reliable sources with each other, because censorship on abortion and other sexual and reproductive care is already happening. Be a mentor to the next generation, because the fight for our rights is a relay, not a sprint. Show anywhere people raise their fists in protest, because we have to meet each other. And when your arm gets tired, Cecile would say to eat a nice meal with people you love, rest, and then get back into it.

When you look back at this moment – whether it’s four years from now or 40 – what do you want us to have done together? As Cecile expressed it sincerelyThe only Acceptable answer is: “All we could.”