Richards was the 20th person this year to receive the honors, following former climate envoy John Kerry, former Vice President Al Gore, Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, and Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Jim Clyburn (D-SC), among others. Biden said the experience was his “honor” on X.

“Today, I had the honor of awarding Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom. With absolute courage, she fearlessly leads us forward to be the America we say we are – a nation of freedom,” Biden posted alongside a photo with Richards. “Through her work to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their power to vote, she has carved an inspiring legacy.”

Biden entered the White House just before the Supreme Court gave states the right to legislate abortion in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling. The topic became the top talking point when Vice President Kamala Harris ran her presidential campaign and among the Democratic Party as a whole. Richards thanked Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, for having abortion protections on their platform.

“Such an honor representing abortion rights and the need for health care for all,” Richards wrote on X. “Here’s to the work ahead!”

Harris had the endorsement of Planned Parenthood ahead of her loss in the Nov. 5 election. Richards spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, during which Harris was named the party’s nominee.

Planned Parenthood facilitated over 392,000 abortions in 2022, according to its latest report. It was an increase of 5% from last year, as the procedure represented over 97% of its pregnancy resolution services.