Richards spoke about the impact of the Dobbs decision, which led to the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and created a patchwork of access to reproductive health care across the country. She told the story of a 12-year-old rape survivor in Mississippi who was forced to carry a pregnancy to term and start seventh grade with a newborn as a result.

The Democratic National Committee convention is taking place in Chicago until Thursday and Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to officially accept the party’s nomination tomorrow.

What you should know about Cecile Richards

• Who is she? Richards is a national leader for women’s rights. She served as president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for 12 years and co-founded Supermajority, an organization that encourages women to participate in elections and politics.
• What role does she play? Richards previously worked to improve affordable access to reproductive health care and later served as deputy chief of staff to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Today, Richards is a frequent speaker and commentator on political and progressive issues.
• Key quote: “When women have the freedom to make their own decisions about their lives and follow their dreams, we are unstoppable. But when Roe v. Wade was overturned, a generation of young people lost that freedom.”