Planned Parenthood looking for a new boss
NEW YORK — Cecile Richards, who led Planned Parenthood through 12 tumultuous years, is stepping down as its president.
Under her leadership, the organization gained in membership, donor support and political clout but found itself in constant conflict with social conservatives for its role as the leading abortion provider in the United States.
The organization provides a range of health services at clinics nationwide, including birth control, cancer screenings and tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
“There has never been a better moment to be an activist,” said Richards, who was a featured speaker in Las Vegas at one of last weekend’s largest women’s marches.
Richards, 60, is the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards. Before joining Planned Parenthood, she was a union organizer and deputy chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, among other roles. Many of the key battles for Richards and Planned Parenthood were waged in Congress, where Republicans repeatedly, though unsuccessfully, sought ways to cut off its federal funding. GOP lawmakers also organized multiple investigative committees after anti-abortion activists released secretly recorded videos in 2015 that they said showed Planned Parenthood employees illegally selling fetal tissue for profit.
Thus far there’s been no formal finding by Congress of wrongdoing by the organization, but the dispute over the allegations is not settled.
There was no immediate word of a possible successor to Richards.