Street roots., March 30, 2018, Page 4, Image 4

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CECILE RICHARDS
What: Powell’s
Books presents
Cecile Richards, In
conversation with
Bitch Media’s
Andl Zeisler.
When: 7:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, April 10
Where: Revolution
Hall, 1300 SE
Stark St., Portland
Cost: $37
(reserved seating)
BY JOANNE ZUHL
Parenthood Federation of America,
championing its work providing health care to
low-income individuals, and standing up to
t started relatively small: A black felt
constant assaults on reproductive rights. The
armband worn to her Texas grade school
federation is composed of 80 local affiliates
as part of a nationwide protest of the
Vietnam War. Cecile Richards was only 13 at operating approximately 800 health centers
nationwide.
the time, and it was her first big leap into the
This January, she announced she would be
resistance. For her act of rebellion, she was
stepping down from that position.
summoned by the principal, who promptly
The title of Richard’s book, “Make
phoned her mom. As Richards recalls, her
Trouble,” is as much a reflection on her life
mother wasn’t home at the time, which made
as a directive to her readers. The book is
it probably one of the luckiest days of the
filled with lessons on how to organize - not
principal’s life.
textbook tutorials, but personal tips learned
That’s because Richards’ mom was the
from someone who has spent decades being a
legendary Ann Richards, an original Texas
troublemaker, questioning authority and not
firebrand and political activist who went on to
waiting for someone else to do something.
become governor. From that dynamic and
On April 10, Powell’s Books is presenting a
politically charged upbringing, Richards would
conversation with Richards and Bitch Media
establish herself as a formidable organizer in
co-founder Andi Zeisler at Revolution Hall in
her own right. She campaigned alongside
nursing home workers, janitors and hotel staff Portland.
Prior to her visit, Street Roots interviewed
to secure just wages and benefits. She later
Richards about her new book, her
formed the Texas Freedom Network and
rallied a community against the religious right experiences on the front lines, and the times
we find ourselves in.
when it tried to take over the local school
district by ousting board members, directing
Joan n e Zuhl: You speak a lot in “Make
curricula and composing reading lists. In
Trouble” of your experiences at various Planned
2002, she became deputy chief of staff for
Parenthood outlets. How often did you visit
U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and later
clinics across the country, and how did those
went on to found America Votes, a
visits shape the work you did?
progressive organizing network that advocates
C ecile Richards: That has been, hands
for voters rights.
down, one of the best parts of the last 12
In her new memoir, “Make Trouble,”
years at Planned Parenthood. From the
Richards writes about the influence of her
moment I took the job, life on the road
mother, Pelosi and the countless workers
became my new normal. In fact, I recently
she’s marched alongside who helped shape
visited my 50th state: North Dakota! Meeting
her own activism. For the past 12 years,
the staff, volunteers and patients who are the
Richards has been the president of Planned
E X E C U T IV E E D IT O R
I
Street Roots • March 30-April 5, 2018
heart of this organization has not only shaped
my work; it has changed my life. There were
so many incredible moments. Seeing the IUD-
shaped bike racks outside Planned
Parenthood in Portland was a fun one.
I also heard countless stories that really
brought home why we do the work we do. I’ll
never forget talking to a doctor in Ohio who
told me, holding back tears, how hard it was
to be forced by the state to repeat false
information intended to shame and scare her
patients out of ending a pregnancy. That was
one of the common themes: The doctors,
nurses, clinicians and staff who work at
Planned Parenthood are deeply committed to
their patients, whether they’re in Alaska or
New York City or anywhere in between.
J.Z.: What impact has Donald Trump’s
presidency had on women’s reproductive rights,
here and abroad?
C.R.: From the day this administration took
office, they have been working to make it
harder for women to access health care, in
the U.S. and around the world. On his very
first day, President Trump reinstated and
expanded the Global Gag Rule, so that it not
only slashes funding for global family
planning, but jeopardizes health programs
addressing HIV and Zika. This administration
has also cut off U.S. funding for the United
Nations Population Fund - an organization
whose sole mission is to support maternal
and child health around the world.
Here in the U.S., they have tried to kick
millions of women off their health insurance,
block women from coming to Planned
See RICH A RD S, p age 5