Good Trouble

Forty Fifty; Volume 46

Some dates in history hold an uncanny weight. January 20th will forever mark the transfer of power in our nation, a day when leadership changes hands and new futures are imagined. But this year, it was also Martin Luther King Jr. Day—dedicated to honoring a legacy built on justice, dignity, and relentless advocacy. And now, it’s the day we said goodbye to Cecile Richards, a woman who, in her own way, carried forward Dr. King’s vision—fighting for equity, access, and the right for all women to control their futures.

It feels fitting that these moments align. Cecile Richards’s work was always about something bigger than healthcare. It was about justice—ensuring that every woman—regardless of where she came from—had a voice, a choice, and the right to care for herself at every stage of life. And in this moment, when both political transition and the legacy of justice intersect, we are reminded of just how much her fight mattered—and how much work remains.

As the president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile was at the helm of a movement many of us assumed was unshakable. Her leadership transcended reproductive rights. It was about holistic healthcare—ensuring women had access to cancer screenings, contraception, and, perhaps most importantly, the space for honest conversations about their bodies. Her legacy forces us to ask: When we talk about women’s health, are we looking at the whole picture? Are we paying attention to what it means to care for ourselves across decades, through transitions and transformations that are rarely spoken about, let alone prioritized?

Richards’ work often placed her in the eye of the storm regarding reproductive health, but her reach extended far beyond a single issue. Under her leadership, Planned Parenthood became a lifeline for millions—offering preventive care, education, and vital services that changed and saved lives. For those of us in midlife, that means routine check-ups, the reality of perimenopause, and the unspoken anxieties around aging bodies that are so often ignored.

The way we talk about women’s health needs a shift towards thriving, agency, and autonomy at every life stage. What does it mean to advocate for ourselves in a healthcare system that’s never really seen us? How do we demand more when we’ve been taught to take what’s given and make do?

At a time when initiatives like the White House’s Women’s Health Research Initiative are gaining traction and the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), Richards’ legacy reminds us that progress is not linear—it’s fragile, precarious, and in need of constant tending. We’ve learned from her that advocacy is a way of moving through the world. It’s in the choices we make in the doctor’s office, the questions we ask, and the collective push to demand better. Progress, after all, isn’t promised. It’s something we create together, bit by bit, conversation by conversation.

If there’s one thing Richards made clear, advocacy isn’t for the select few. It’s for all of us.

Here’s where we start:

1. Prioritize ourselves. We’ve been conditioned to put our health on hold but can’t afford to anymore. It’s time to book the appointment, ask uncomfortable questions, and demand better care.

2. Talk about womens health in midlife, loudly. The realities of aging—menopause, heart health, osteoporosis—must be in the conversation. Silence has never served us.

3. Stay politically engaged. Healthcare is policy, and policy shapes our access. Whether we show up to vote or advocate for research, our voices matter.

As we reflect on Cecile’s legacy, we’re reminded of the uncanny valley between where we are and where we should be—a space filled with unfulfilled promises and unfinished work. Cecile taught us that progress isn’t guaranteed; it’s something we create, push for, and protect every day. And now, more than ever, it’s up to us to bridge that divide.

In solidarity,

Ali, Forty Fifty

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