Karen Handel resigns from Komen for the Cure
Karen Handel, the former GOP candidate for governor, just announced her resignation as a senior vice president for public policy of Susan G. Komen for the Cure – one week after the breast cancer charity reversed itself on a decision to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood.
Below is the letter. Note that Handel says she is declining the offer of a severance package from Komen — which might have required her to keep silent.
February 7, 2012
The Honorable Nancy Brinker
CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure VIA EMAIL
5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250
Dallas, Texas 75244
Dear Ambassador Brinker:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been the recognized leader for more 30 years in the fight against breast cancer here in the US – and increasingly around the world.
As you know, I have always kept Komen’s mission and the women we serve as my highest priority – as they have been for the entire organization, the Komen Affiliates, our many supporters and donors, and the entire community of breast cancer survivors. I have carried out my responsibilities faithfully and in line with the Board’s objectives and the direction provided by you and Liz.
We can all agree that this is a challenging and deeply unsettling situation for all involved in the fight against breast cancer. However, Komen’s decision to change its granting strategy and exit the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and its grants was fully vetted by every appropriate level within the organization. At the November Board meeting, the Board received a detailed review of the new model and related criteria. As you will recall, the Board specifically discussed various issues, including the need to protect our mission by ensuring we were not distracted or negatively affected by any other organization’s real or perceived challenges. No objections were made to moving forward.
I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it. I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve. However, the decision to update our granting model was made before I joined Komen, and the controversy related to Planned Parenthood has long been a concern to the organization. Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology. Rather, both were based on Komen’s mission and how to better serve women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy. I believe that Komen, like any other nonprofit organization, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom it grants.
What was a thoughtful and thoroughly reviewed decision – one that would have indeed enabled Komen to deliver even greater community impact – has unfortunately been turned into something about politics. This is entirely untrue. This development should sadden us all greatly.
Just as Komen’s best interests and the fight against breast cancer have always been foremost in every aspect of my work, so too are these my priorities in coming to the decision to resign effective immediately. While I appreciate your raising a possible severance package, I respectfully decline. It is my most sincere hope that Komen is allowed to now refocus its attention and energies on its mission.
Sincerely,
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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343 comments Add your comment
Becky
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
I can see her and Sarah Palin hanging out together and planning their next assault on the general public. Some GOP operative will love to have her. Maybe Ralph Reed?
Kerry
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
Read her resignation letter closely, she blames everyone else. She insists the policy was not her doing. But although the policy wasn’t her doing, she still says it was correct to defund PP. No severance package will be necessary since she will land in a comfortable position that has probably already been found. BTW – does anyone know the specifics of her pay package at SGK?
Joe Mama
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
No severance, and since she resigned voluntarily, no unemployment.
Get a job, hippie.
vegasgrrl
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
Now if we can get Komen to donate more of their intake to actual research, I might actually give them money.
Handel obviously had an agenda – having vehemently been against PP in her political stance from the beginning. Now, since Komen saw the light of their mistake, she runs off crying like a baby because they don’t agree with her anymore. Get a grip Handel, you couldn’t possibly believe that what you say has anything to do with the health of ALL women, and has everything to do with your political agenda. Try pushing your ideas on some other organization – Komen has enough problems without all of your b.s.
beth pfohl
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
Once again, the entire state of Georgia looks like a bunch of morons.
detritusUSA
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
Don’t worry Karen FOX news will hire you. You’ll have a bigger stage to spread your poison.
HURLCO
February 7th, 2012
11:02 am
The forces of political correctness prevail. That’s too bad. Karen Handell’s resignation is a loss for the health care and screening of cancer for women and a victory for those who’d project their politics of death.
FYI
February 7th, 2012
11:04 am
Nancy Brinker isn’t going anywhere. She’s Susan G. Komen’s sister.
Rose
February 7th, 2012
11:04 am
This is what Karen Handel does best, she resigns. In this case, that’s great!
tom mitchell
February 7th, 2012
11:05 am
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead !!!
MB
February 7th, 2012
11:06 am
Handel should have been fired first thing Monday morning, if not sooner.
ProgressivePeach
February 7th, 2012
11:06 am
Awesome. Another example of Republican efficiency at its finest! And we continue to let these people run our state?
Unrepentant, Karen Handel Resigns From Komen After Planned Parenthood Attack | The New Civil Rights Movement
February 7th, 2012
11:06 am
[...] package, “which might have required her to keep silent,” notes Jim Galloway at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, who adds that Handel has arranged for a press conference this [...]
Hilton Spence
February 7th, 2012
11:07 am
Let’s follow her to her next job, and boycott that company also.
You a miserable human being, Karen, and you will never win against the best
interests of women in this country.
YOU ARE ONE MISGUIDED HUMAN BEING. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken
February 7th, 2012
11:08 am
Race for the cure or or race to support abortion? Can someone PLEASE tell me why I MUST support abortion through SGK in order to support the primary mission of researching a cure for breast cancer. The answer is that I do not. I will not support SGK any more. I will find an honest organization whose focus truly is breast cancer research and not aborting babies. I applaud you Karen Handel. Two thumbs down to you SGK board of directors.
GaBlue
February 7th, 2012
11:08 am
I hope Ms. Handel has finally learned the lesson she failed to learn two years ago. What do you get when you do the bidding of the GOBIC (good ol’ boys in charge), who seek to control all the power, money, and women within their realm to preserve their own privileged way of life — at the expense of those who really need a strong, capable advocate? Did you really think they would back you up when things got ugly, Ms. H? Bless your heart!
Suggestion:
Next time you want to put your “talents” to use, try fighting for the people who truly need and deserve your help instead of stepping on them to gain favor with those who will NEVER see you as an equal.
Jb
February 7th, 2012
11:08 am
The question of SGK organization that I have is, “being under investigation”..determines termination of donations…isn’t it innocent until proven guilty…..especially being investigated by CONGRESS (LOL) when the investigation hasn’t been completed. But, of course, we are talking about abortion, which has been and will always be the hot button topic, especially in an election year.
catlady
February 7th, 2012
11:08 am
How many lies were told before she finally decided to step up to the plate? Komen has lost my help, for sure.
GenJones
February 7th, 2012
11:09 am
That’s one less Wingnut Welfare Recipient. 27% to go.
Gerald West
February 7th, 2012
11:09 am
Great news! The attempt by right-wing politicians to infiltrate America’s charity and research organizations has suffered a stunning setback.
But please, keep her in Washington. Give her a cushy job with the gun lobby, or Fox News, or an oxymoronic Republican “think tank”.
Don’t send her back to Georgia: we’ve got too many posturing, obstructive politicians determined to advance the unethical treatment of human beings and undermine the Constitutional rights of Americans.
Ron Curtis
February 7th, 2012
11:09 am
Didn’t realize I could have a workable link above so I’m posting this again: “What cancer is and is not” http://youtu.be/2ZwpSwm_4as I suggest everyone whatch as this lady takes Komen to task.
Danny Osborne
February 7th, 2012
11:10 am
I echo the GOOD RIDDANCE comments!!!
Unrepentant, Karen Handel Resigns From Komen After Planned Parenthood Attack | Screw Cable
February 7th, 2012
11:10 am
[...] package, “which might have required her to keep silent,” notes Jim Galloway at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, who adds that Handel has arranged for a press conference this [...]
Kat
February 7th, 2012
11:11 am
This is the power of the internet. These people think they can screw over vulnerable populations in society and get away with it, but they can’t do it as long as the internet is an open porthole for unregulated information! This is just another example of why we need to fight so hard against government and corporate control of the internet. We caught this b—- red-handed. There’s still more work to do to take our society back from greedy, heartless imbeciles like her.
Becky
February 7th, 2012
11:14 am
Getting her college degree would be a good place to start.
oolaa
February 7th, 2012
11:15 am
Komen is going down…
James Connah
February 7th, 2012
11:15 am
If you actually followed what has been going on some of your comments might be worth reading. Whether or not you are for Planned Parenthood seems to be what is driving the comments. SGK was
founded to fight breast cancer. Why would they expand to help PP, the poor, Haiti, or the fight against drug abuse ? They were fortunate in having what one would think was an uncontroversial cause and they should be marshalling their efforts to work on that cause ALONE. Only a few know what went on in Board Meetings but I Itend to believe Handel since no one is disputing her take on it.
If you are motivated to fight breast cancer then go for it and don’t get distracted over unrelated matters. You’ll accomplish more……..
James Dobson
February 7th, 2012
11:16 am
Becky, Handel doesn’t have a degree?
Kathy
February 7th, 2012
11:16 am
If it wasn’t political, Ms. Handel would have supported the re-funding of Planned Parenthood. She is strictly anti-abortion and anti-choice and was using SGK to promote that position. For her to say that it is not political, is disingenuous at best. Nancy Brinker also has to go; she can have some sort of honorary title and remove herself from the day-to-day workings of the organization. Ms. Brinker let this debacle happen.
I am a breast cancer survivor and former supporter of SGK; still giving my future donations to Planned Parenthood.
lewisbuzzard
February 7th, 2012
11:16 am
Handel is a frekin loon.
K. Handel
February 7th, 2012
11:17 am
This is an attack on me and all of the other people who believe in the sanctity of life. While I hope Komen will do well, I will continue to work on behalf of those with no voice to eliminate abortion in this country. It is an affront to God and you’re always right to work on His behalf. I am not deterred. I am more determined than ever. I will survive this and come back stronger than ever. Please join me in this fight to de-fund Planned Parenthood. We will win this fight.
AC
February 7th, 2012
11:17 am
Maybe she can now become the GOP Leader.
Good Riddance to bad rubbish.
Now that Brinker lying chick must also go away.
Becky
February 7th, 2012
11:17 am
James Dobson-no she does not and apparently is proud she doesn’t!
oolaa
February 7th, 2012
11:17 am
Stop support of Komen. As long as Komen supports the planned parenthood death camps, save your money. Give to real organizations that help, not people who put politics before care.
Lori Jones
February 7th, 2012
11:18 am
Karen Handel is a woman of integrity who actually does what she says she will do – She was following the criteria her employer had set up – Public Pressure caused Komen to reverse the decision they had made! In return, their cause and name has been tarnished! NOBODY likes wishy washy leaders!!! Bravo Karen for your stand -
honested
February 7th, 2012
11:18 am
Quick, open all the windows.
Even though the source has gone, it will take a while for the stench to air out.
Ed
February 7th, 2012
11:18 am
That entire letter was a steaming pile of nonsense. Trying to distance herself as if this weren’t American Taliban politics.
The Love Handels
February 7th, 2012
11:19 am
She a dam bafoon!
ornej
February 7th, 2012
11:19 am
Had I taken the time to look out for how I spent my charitable contributions, I would never have donated to anyone employing our own Georgia nut, Karen Handel. That’s all the information I would have needed. There’s a problem with any organization that purports to help women, especially poor women who would hire Karen Handle with her very public resume on women’s issues. I’ll be glad to explain to anyone asking for a contribution why I’ll be contributing my hard earned money elsewhere. Watch carefully where this woman lands her next job!!
Fetus on a stick
February 7th, 2012
11:20 am
Komen hates women….
zeke
February 7th, 2012
11:20 am
wonder what her next gig will be?
Southside Girl
February 7th, 2012
11:20 am
NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH! NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH! HEY, HEY HEY! GOODBYE!!
Jon
February 7th, 2012
11:20 am
A liar till the end.Not politically motivated. That is a the biggest lie I have ever heard. She furthered the and did not fetter the cause. An executive with honor and valor would have stood up for ALL women. Instead of just women who have the money to take care of themselves.
The Love Handels
February 7th, 2012
11:21 am
Lori, that’s crazy talk. Karen need to get a Handel on things. Her pryorteas all messed up!
Obligatory Karen Handel Komen Resignation Post | Comments from Left Field
February 7th, 2012
11:22 am
[...] from Jim Galloway, TBogg, and Susie [...]
honested
February 7th, 2012
11:22 am
zeke,
If she had planned a little better, she would probably still have a seat in the republican primary clown car!
The Love Handels
February 7th, 2012
11:22 am
She goin to Planned Parents in the hood next. She be the poster childs for not having the kids.
catlady
February 7th, 2012
11:23 am
The reason it took so long is so she could line up another group to “head.”
Mahopinion
February 7th, 2012
11:24 am
Ken,
Less than 20% of the money that the Kohman Foundation raises actually goes to funding breast cancer research or screenings. The remainder is eaten up by half million dollar salaries for Brinker and the Board as well as other expenses.
Pink stinks.
Mosey Ree
February 7th, 2012
11:25 am
Well, its about time that someone stands up with integrity. I think that she was so polite in turning down the severance pay. It was BLOOD money anyway. And for all you that think I’m out of touch. Sorry to disappoint you. My neice died of breast cancer at age 30, left a husband, two girls 10 & 8 and her doctor contributed the spreading of her cancer to the type of birth control she was on. So do you homework and get educated and stop spreading your Lies to Women.!!!