On Wednesday, April 20, Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, gave a lecture at Georgetown University. This event, given the political climate, naturally garnered significant controversy, ever heightened at the country’s oldest Catholic university.
Georgetown has historically struggled with the difficult task of maintaining and respecting its Catholic heritage while also defining itself as a progressive and forward-thinking institution as it produces some of the world’s most engaged citizens.
Cecile Richards’ impending lecture brought this issue to a forefront, as protestors petitioned for a campus true to its religious background, while supporters argued the necessity of conversation on a university campus no matter how controversial.
This is exactly what Richards chose to speak to as she entered Georgetown’s Lohrfink Auditorium, with security guards and a line of student and public protestors surrounding the building. She welcomed a wildly applauding standing ovation of supporters to the historical moment, thanking the community and the university for respecting an educational right to discussion.
As an ardent supporter of Cecile Richards, the obstacles she has navigated and the many services Planned Parenthood as an organization provides, of course I was in the crowd. I believe in a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions and for the government to have no part in such a choice. I believe in the power of Planned Parenthood to grant healthcare access to women and men and families who may not have otherwise seen a healthcare provider.
But, to be clear, the fact that I support Planned Parenthood is largely irrelevant. Even in believing all of these things without ever having needed Richards to articulate them, I found myself awed and inspired by her speech. This is a woman with the confidence to give a lecture at a university that nearly disallowed her from speaking. This is a woman with the courage to advocate for herself, her organization and women around the world in a room full of individuals firing accusations at her.
And just to get one thing straight: Cecile Richards’ lecture was not about abortion.
Her most committed adversaries would have it be so, but she did not speak about abortion as if it was the feature centerpiece of Planned Parenthood. Because the question of abortion, of whether each woman may make the choice to keep her child or not, is ultimately not the entirety of what Planned Parenthood or Cecile Richards stands for. It is an organization standing for health and for accessibility, for understanding and for planning. Yes, abortion services are included, and they are important. But they are not the paramount discussion.
This historic lecture was about activism, integrity and ambition. It was about strength and fighting for one’s convictions as long as they stand. It was about, at the very minimum, thanking a small group of students for fighting for the chance to facilitate this lecture at Georgetown University, met with controversy and disdain. Because the purpose of education is inciting discussion, raising questions and stirring debate.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed." So thank you Georgetown, thank you to the Lecture Fund, and thank you Cecile Richards for everything you stand for.
