Planned Parenthood head is writing ‘inspirational’ memoir

NEW YORK Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, is writing an “inspirational” memoir.

Touchstone told The Associated Press on Thursday that Richards’ book is currently untitled and scheduled for next spring. The daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, she will combine personal stories with her experiences as an activist, whether as a labour organizer or her time at Planned Parenthood, which she has headed since 2006.

Richards leads the women’s health care organization during a critical time, with President Donald Trump and other Republicans calling for its federal funding to be eliminated.

“I’m excited to share my story, and the lessons I’ve learned over the years from making trouble and organizing for change,” Richards, who turns 60 this week, said in a statement. “In a moment when so much of the progress generations have fought for is on the line, we are witnessing the most exciting outpouring of grassroots organizing many of us have ever seen. Now is not the time to wait for instruction — it’s time to get to work, and be bolder and braver than ever before.”

In the dark a single artifact sits in a display case, a quiet hum of machinery the only sound in the cavernous room. In the distance a lock clicks open and footsteps approach, crossing the polished concrete floor. The lights flicker on. The low, focused light reveals the lone artifact in its case — a single pencil. In a room 2,000 square feet in size. There are text panels on the walls and a number of images, but just the one artifact. How on earth could a museum exhibit have only a single artifact?

Are the staff lazy? Did someone steal the other artifacts? Is this a joke? How dare they waste our time! But maybe… maybe there is a reason. What’s so special about that pencil anyway?

Could an exhibit really only have a single artifact? Yes, in fact, it could. It all depends on the artifact, the story, and how that story is told. If the pencil has a truly remarkable story it might be enough to fill the gallery. To whom did the pencil belong, and what did they do with it? Was it used to write an important book or sign an important document or treaty? Do we have enough supporting evidence to tell the story? An exhibit is much more than just a room full of old stuff.

The Esplanade Museum focuses on preserving, providing access to, and interpreting the history of the community. We focus on developing exhibits that are important to, and resonate with, our community. Sometimes they are on a strictly local topic, such as our Hand Made by Altaglass exhibit (2011). Sometimes they are of a national or international scale such as our 2014 First World War exhibit,