The much-respected and admired president of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards gave her endorsement to the Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton last spring. It was one of the first major endorsements for Hillary and a very important one, given most of this country, men and women, support Planned Parenthood and a women’s right reproductive choice.
Like Hillary Clinton, Richards is no stranger to harsh criticism and attacks from the religious right and Republican extremists. She’s no stranger to sexism and misogyny and has withstood hearings in front of Congress meant to discredit her and defund Planned Parenthood. And she also knows what it’s like to triumph from such vicious attacks after they find nothing to substantiate false claims.
On Tuesday, Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention, Cecile Richards once again offers her support to Hillary Rodham Clinton to become the next president of the United States.
Here is her speech followed by the transcript.
Transcript:
Planned parenthood was founded 100 years ago. Giving women the care they need to live their lives and chase their dreams, no limits, no ceilings. A century later, an enormous feeling is coming down -- an enormous feeling is coming down. But this year is not just about electing the first woman president, it's about electing this woman president.
Each year, millions of people trust planned parenthood — and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund trusts Hillary Clinton.
As First Lady, Hillary Clinton declared to the world that women's rights are human rights. She worked with Republicans and Democrats to help create the children's health insurance program, which now covers 8 million kids.
As Secretary of State, she was a champion to women and girls around the globe, and she will always stand up for the rights of every woman to access a full range of reproductive health care, including abortion, no matter her reproductive status.
Over the last year, Hillary has traveled across our country listening to young activists, working to end campus sexual assault. She has listened to fathers who want their daughters to be paid equally to their sons. And to parents who need paid leave and affordable childcare. And she has made their fight her own. And she has chosen as a running mate Senator Tim kaine. A man who has been a champion for women and families his entire lifetime.
Hillary has always been in Planned Parenthood's corner because she knows women deserve someone who is in theirs. Women like Dana, a mom in Dallas who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. Today, Dana is cancer free, and she says she could not have done it without Vivian, the planned parenthood clinician who stuck with her all the way through treatment.
So, when Donald Trump and Mike Pence say they will defund planned parenthood, they are talking about cutting women like Dana off of life-saving care. Make no doubt about it, women's health and lives are on the line and on the ballot this election. You may have heard that the Supreme Court ruled that the Texas laws that forced abortion providers to close their doors are dangerous and unconstitutional. But the fight is not over.
Donald Trump has pledged to appoint justices who will overturn Roe versus Wade and undo decades of progress.
Donald Trump has called women fat pigs and dogs. He wants to punish women for having abortions. He calls pregnancy a "Inconvenience" for women's employers.
Well, Mr. Trump, come this November, women are going to be a lot more than an inconvenience. Women are going to be the reason you're not elected president. When my great-grandmother was growing up, women could not vote, under Texas law. Just two generations later, her granddaughter, Ann Richards, my mother, was elected governor of the state of Texas. Tonight, we are closer than ever to putting a woman in the white house. I can almost hear mom saying, "Well, it sure took you a long enough." So, what do you say? Are you ready to make history?
Let's go win this election.
Thank you, Cecile Richards, for all the right that you do.