[4] She initially went to public school, but, in ninth grade, she was disciplined for protesting the Vietnam War, after she wore a black armband.

At the age of 16, she helped her mother campaign for Sarah Weddington, the attorney who won Roe v. Wade, in her bid for the Texas state legislature.

[8] She was one of the founders of America Votes, a 501(c)4 organization that aims to co-ordinate and promote progressive issues, and served as its president.

[11] She also served on the board of advisors of Let America Vote, an organization founded by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander that aims to end voter suppression.

[12] Richards became the president of Planned Parenthood in 2006,[13][14] reinvigorated the group, growing the base of donors and volunteers for more than a decade.

[24] In 2018, Richards published her memoir, Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead.

[4][30] On November 20, 2024, Richards received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden at the White House.