Cecile Richards, a women's rights activist and former president of Planned Parenthood, has died at the age of 67, her family said.

"This morning our beloved Cecil passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her ever-faithful dog Ollie. Our hearts are broken today but there are no words to describe what she brought to our lives Joy," her family said in a statement Monday.

"We are grateful to the doctors and medical staff who provided her with excellent care, as well as to the friends, family and well-wishers who have been by her side during this challenging time," the family said.

She revealed to The Cut last year that she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2023.

The family told those wishing to remember Richards, "We invite you to enjoy New Orleans jazz and enjoy a meal with friends and family."

The family ended with a quote from Richards that is worth remembering: "It's not hard to imagine that future generations will one day ask: 'What did you do when our country faced so much at stake?'" Only The acceptable answer is: "Everything we can do."

Richards is the daughter of the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards and previously served as deputy chief of staff to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

she From 2006 to 2018, he served as Chairman of the Family Planning Action Fund. In her final years at the helm of the organization, she faced off against Donald Trump, who took action during his first administration to reduce birth control access in several states, tighten abortion restrictions and cut Protection of family planning services.

During the 2016 campaign, Trump promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who would help overturn Roe v. Wade. This landmark case, which guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion, was overturned in June 2022.

"I've been lucky enough to always have jobs that I cared about," Richards told The Cut last year. "I've worked with and organized a lot of people, including nursing home staff, hotel staff and cleaners, who don't have any choice. They work because they care about their jobs, but they work because they have to feed their families . But I'm one of the few people who's really blessed to be able to do what I think needs to be done, so whatever happens next, I have."

Tributes poured in across social media on Monday, honoring Richards as a pioneer for reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood wrote on and advocacy work to new heights. She is the embodiment of "care no matter what."

“As the reproductive freedom movement explores uncharted territory, we know Cecil will tell us the best way to honor her is to put on some clothes (wear pink!), link your arms, and fight like hell for the health and rights of all people, "It continues.

former president "Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cecil Richards," Joe Biden said Monday.

"Cecile fearlessly led us to become the America we call America. She carried her mother's torch for justice and supported some of our nation's most important civil rights causes. She fought for the dignity of workers and defended and advanced women's reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize our fellow Americans to exercise their right to vote,” he said in a statement. "Jill and I send our love and strength to her husband Kirk, her children Daniel, Hannah and Lily, her grandson Teddy and the entire Richards family."

previous Vice President Kamala Harris praised Richards as "a force to be reckoned with."

"Cecile made decisions about her own body with heart, fearlessness and courage on the front lines of the fight for women's rights and the dignity of every woman. She fought tirelessly for all women, and today millions of people across the country learn from her benefits at work," she said in a statement. "She wants us to honor her by recommitting ourselves to fighting for basic freedoms. Let's roll up our sleeves and make her proud."

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa recalled Richards as "a trailblazer, a force for good, a voice for the voiceless."

"Cecil was a true Texas giant whose work will continue to guide our fight to advance justice, equality and restore reproductive freedom," Hinojosa said in a statement.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., wrote on X: “Cecile Richards has been a dear friend and valuable partner in many struggles, from From ensuring the Affordable Care Act covered birth control to keeping Planned Parenthood's doors open no matter what, she changed the conversation around women's health and stayed the course."