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Make Trouble
CECILE RICHARDS has been an activist since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. Richards had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her civil rights attorney father and activist mother taught their kids to be troublemakers. In the Richards household, the “dinner table was never for eating—it was for sorting precinct lists.”
From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front-row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. She watched her mother, Ann, transform from a housewife to an electrifying force in the Democratic party who made a name for herself as the straight-talking, truth-telling governor of Texas. But Richards also witnessed the pitfalls of public life that are unique to women. Her experiences paint a powerful portrait of the misogyny, sexism, fake news, and even the threat of violence confronting those who challenge authority.
As a young woman, Richards worked as a labor organizer alongside women earning minimum wage, and learned that those in power don’t give it up without a fight. Now, after years of advocacy, resistance, and progressive leadership, she shares her story for the first time— from the joy and heartbreak of activism to the challenges of raising kids, having a life, and making change, all at the same time.
In this powerful and compelling program, Richards shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her through good times and bad, and encourages audiences to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way.
Women and Politics
Former President of Planned Parenthood CECILE RICHARDS is a globally respected activist and social justice leader, renowned for her extensive advocacy work at grassroots organizations, in the non-profit sector and in Washington. Currently at the helm of Supermajority-- a non-partisan home for women’s activism, training, and the mobilization of a multiracial, intergenerational community to fight for gender equality—Richards is on the frontlines of the fight to put the issues women care most about at the top of the agenda.
In remarks that are candid, forward-looking and balanced, Richards offers powerful insights and sharp commentary on women as a political force. She paints an illuminating picture of the women’s movement nationwide, voter mobilization, and our political future.
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Cecile Richards wins the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Founder of Supermajority and former President of Planned Parenthood CECILE RICHARDS was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contribution to women’s rights. According to The Hill, President Biden said that Richards has “led some of our Nation’s most important civil rights causes — to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their power to vote.”
Cecile Richards visits HWA to talk business
Former President of Planned Parenthood and New York Times bestselling author CECILE RICHARDS visited the Harry Walker Agency, sharing incredible insights on civic engagement, women in the workforce, and the current political and cultural moment. Richards highlighted how the business community is—and has the opportunity to continue to be—innovative and dynamic, evolving to the reality of demographics, while the government is stuck in gridlock or the past. Richards noted that when it comes to the workplace, more issues unite us than divide us, such as affordable childcare, health coverage, and positive, productive work environments—and so businesses have the power to be unifiers amid particularly divisive political times.
Watch Cecile Richards in conversation with Harvard University >>
Cecile Richards' Supermajority, Mobilizing Women Across Party Lines
Former President of Planned Parenthood CECILE RICHARDS launched an organization called Supermajority, a new home for women’s activism, training, and the mobilization of a multiracial, intergenerational community to fight for gender equality.
Named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” Richards is celebrated for her vocal, dedicated and strategic leadership as well as her extensive advocacy work at grassroots organizations, in the non-profit sector and in Washington. A dynamic and empowering speaker who has addressed audiences everywhere from Talks at Google to Harvard University, Richard's lessons on fostering dialogue, resilience and leadership are much-needed in today’s politically divisive times.
Cecile Richards' Groundbreaking TED Talk
Former President of Planned Parenthood and New York Times bestselling author of Make Trouble, CECILE RICHARDS is a trailblazing activist and social justice leader who's insights and leadership are in-demand nationwide.
Deemed “heroine of the resistance” by Vogue and named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” Richards offers powerful lessons and sharp commentary on politics, social justice, women’s rights and being a force for positive change. Her empowering TED Talk, on "The political progress women have made-- and what's next" has racked up almost 2M views.
Cecile Richards' book Make Trouble is an instant New York Times bestseller
CECILE RICHARDS' instant New York Times and Amazon bestseller Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead is a powerful story about learning to lead and making change. The book's reviews speak for themselves:
“Cecile Richards’s story is powerful and infinitely readable. Whether you are a longtime activist, or just a caring citizen wondering how to advance democracy in hard times, Make Trouble has the answers... She is the best teacher on earth—someone you trust” - Women's Rights Icon GLORIA STEINEM
"With insight and humor, Cecile Richards offers a call to action for aspiring organizers and leaders. A must-read for anyone hoping to make a difference and trying to figure out where to start" - Vice President Kamala Harris
Cecile Richards is a national leader for women’s rights and social and economic justice, and author of the New York Times bestseller Make Trouble. As President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund for 12 years, Richards worked to increase affordable access to reproductive health care and to build a healthier and safer world for women and young people.
After starting her career as a labor organizer, working with women earning the minimum wage, she went on to start her own grassroots organizations, and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In 2011 and 2012, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2024, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work for women's rights.
Richards is a frequent speaker and commentator on politics and progressive issues. She and her husband, Kirk Adams, have three children and live in New York City and Maine.
My Speaker List
