The White House announced that President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Wednesday to former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards in a private ceremony.

Richards is the daughter of former Texas Governor. Ann Richards left the reproductive healthcare organization she led for 12 years in 2018. Richards announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma – an aggressive brain cancer. Beau Biden’s son died from the same disease.

Biden shared a picture of himself, Jill Biden as first lady, Richards, and Richards’s spouse, Kirk Adams, on X. He also said that it was an “honor to” award Cecile Richards with the Medal of Freedom.

White House: At the ceremony, Richards was commended for his work.

The commendation said that she carried her parents’ torch of justice and led some of the most important civil right causes in our nation – to raise the dignity of workers and to defend and advance women’s reproductive rights. She also mobilized Americans to exercise their voting power. She is a leader of the highest character who has left a legacy of inspiration in her family, the lives of the many people she has touched, and the Nation that seeks equality, justice and freedom.

The Presidential Medal of Honor, the highest civilian award in America, is presented to 19 Americans at a White House ceremony held in spring. Among them were former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President Al Gore and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky. Biden presented the medal to 19 Americans at a White House ceremony held in spring. Among them were former Speaker of House Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Al Gore.