Richards was the 20th person this year to receive the honors, following former climate envoy John Kerry, former Vice President Al Gore, Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, and Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Jim Clyburn (D-SC), among others. Biden said the experience was his “honor” on X.
“Today, I had the honor of awarding Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom. With absolute courage, she fearlessly leads us forward to be the America we say we are – a nation of freedom,” Biden posted alongside a photo with Richards. “Through her work 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, she has carved an inspiring legacy.”
