She was raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where her family moved to shortly after her birth, and attended public schools there.

In 1952 Richardson received a Bachelor of Science from Southern University (Baton Rouge), becoming a second-generation college graduate after her mother.

[3] As president, she oversaw an expansion of the NAACP's work to include increased focus on economic and health care disparities and environmental racism.

[1][3][4] From 1999 to 2008 she chaired the NAACP's Health Committee, which she had advocated for the creation of, focusing on HIV/AIDS in the United States among minority groups.

[5] The Rupert Richardson Memorial Leadership Award was named in Richardson's honor to recognize NAACP Presidents who avidly epitomizing excellence, professionalism, progressive innovation, input into youth development, Unit growth, collaboration and sustainability excellence.

Dot Scott, President, Charleston Branch NAACP – 2009 On January 24, 2008, Richardson died in Baton Rouge.