Karen Handel, Susan G. Komen Executive, Quits Over Planned Parenthood Dispute

Karen Handel, vice president for public affairs at Susan G. Komen for the Cure, resigned on Tuesday following public outcry over the announcement Komen would pull funding from Planned Parenthood. After Komen reversed its decision, The Huffington Post reported that Handel drove the decision to defund Planned Parenthood over abortion politics and crafted the strategy to clean up the public relations mess that ensued.

Although she acknowledges her involvement in the Planned Parenthood decision in her resignation letter, she also decries what she calls "gross mischaracterizations" of the situation and maintains that the decision was not about politics:

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.

Komen has maintained that it pulled funds from Planned Parenthood because of a routine change in criteria for who is eligible to receive grants -- not because of pressure from anti-abortion activists over the fact that Planned Parenthood provides abortions. But a Komen insider told HuffPost on Sunday that Handel, who ran for governor of Georgia in 2010 on the promise to defund Planned Parenthood, has been pushing to drop the organization from grants since she was hired in April 2011.

In her signoff, possibly as an acknowledgment of the public outrage toward her, Handel waives her right to a severance package:

"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," she writes. "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."

Komen founder Nancy Brinker accepted Handel's resignation on Tuesday and said in a statement that Komen is learning from its mistakes.

"We have made mistakes in how we have handled recent decisions and take full accountability for what has resulted, but we cannot take our eye off the ball when it comes to our mission," she said. "To do this effectively, we must learn from what we've done right, what we've done wrong and achieve our goal for the millions of women who rely on us. The stakes are simply too high and providing hope for a cure must drive our efforts.

"Today I accepted the resignation of Karen Handel, who has served as Senior Vice President for Policy since April 2011. I have known Karen for many years, and we both share a common commitment to our organization's lifelong mission, which must always remain our sole focus. I wish her the best in future endeavors."

Comments

[DonkeyPunch360]

03:55 AM on 02/12/2012

We all need to take a moment to understand her actions, if you were her than you would understand. I best explain it here in this character study of her: http://thedonkeyreport.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/for-100000-i-will-bang-karen-handel/

[richardglund]

11:36 AM on 02/10/2012

This is a class act decision for Ms. Handel--to apologize, resign, and not demand any severance pay to which I feel should be given. She made a principled decision to defund Planned Parenthood (and abortion-abomination factory) and has paid the price for her. God bless you Ms. Handel. Try not to let the hateful opposition get to you!

[As American As You Are]

04:47 PM on 02/10/2012

Really? It's classy to come into a job with the sole purpose of defunding programs that aid in poorer womens health? She is far from principled.

[katydid579]

12:16 PM on 02/13/2012

It's a shame you confuse "principles" with selfish greed. She had one item on her agenda and that was to deny funding for Planned Parenthood. Abortion is LEGAL in this country, but that has NOTHING to do with the grant money SGK was giving to PP. When people like you agree to actually provide health care for ALL Americans, post again.

[artistic tiger]

09:13 AM on 02/10/2012

She DECLINED the severance package AND quit in THIS ECONOMY?? HOLY CRAP.

[katydid579]

12:18 PM on 02/13/2012

Don't worry, the radical rightists goppers will be taking care of her...

[wilsoncombatgrl]

03:28 AM on 02/10/2012

She's a Twisted Sister

[TruthHurtsPPL]

02:34 AM on 02/10/2012

I'm not for abortion personally, but what right do I have to judge someone else for doing what they feel they need to do for their health and future? Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances for why women feel they need to have an abortion. Sometimes the reasons are selfish and or financial. In either case I would rather there be one less abused, suffering, neglected, and starving child born into this world, but it seems some people would rather these women be forced to bear a child they don't want. For those who are quick to say they could give it to someone for adoption, #1 are you gonna adopt them? #2 we need to find homes and families for the numerous children in the world who are already here. Why stop supporting SGK for funding PP? God forbid we stop supporting a cure for breast cancer and make those afflicted with breast cancer suffer because SGK is funding PP.

[onewhothinks]

12:31 AM on 02/10/2012

"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."

Either they had incredibly bad timing, or it was a political move. The prior suggests that it was not thoroughly thought out. Either way, they're lying.

[JennyLoveButt]

11:51 PM on 02/09/2012

Bye Bye lard butt.....................Back to Gooberville USA for you..............

[Vinny2]

10:21 PM on 02/09/2012

Komen is obviously just another political organization with a political agenda. I have permanently stopped contributing money to them and have instead given my donations to Planned Parenthood. I advise others to do the same. Komen thinks they can make this go away by having Handel fall on her sword, but this is far from over.

[jasmperez]

02:14 AM on 02/10/2012

The first dollar they gave PP was political. That was the mistake. They should have never given a dime to PP in the first place. That was the error. They can open up mobile mammogram places with that money.

[Middle of the Roader]

11:41 PM on 02/23/2012

The ERROR is that women have to rely on donations of others to get reasonbly priced medical care - that is the real tragedy here.

I think the Republican men have forgotten that women have the vote now. Oh wait maybe they'll try to take that away from us as well...

[drnip]

09:44 PM on 02/09/2012

I support Handel--Komen should NOT have reversed their decision--I will not support Komen in future since they "caved" to political pressure! Either you have principles or you don't--apparently Komen doesn't--just goes with the wind whichever way it blows.

[bellaratta]

11:56 PM on 02/09/2012

Not supported because of their decision not to fund P.P. and then not supported because they reversed their decision.
Talk about a P.R. nightmare.

[drnip]

01:15 AM on 02/10/2012

To clarify--I supported Komen in their decision NOT to fund PP--I do not support them now because they reversed and will now fund PP. My original comment did not include "Either you have principles or you don't-apparently Komen doesn't-just goes with the wind whichever way it blows" that has been added to my comment-mine ended with "caved" to political pressure.

[ivotes]

09:33 PM on 02/09/2012

Bon Yoyagee, Karen!

[Not Reply]

09:24 PM on 02/09/2012

I will never donate another penny to this organization.

[teach4kat]

10:06 PM on 02/09/2012

I think Komen was right in pulling out of grants and funding for Planned Parenthood. Many people did NOT know that Planned Parenthood was being supported by Komen.
Komen did cave into political pressure. Shame on those who gave Planned Parenthood money to offset their lost money from Komen.

[kenbaxter1996]

11:54 PM on 02/09/2012

Teach, you are entittled to your opinion and "shame on you" for telling people they can't put their money where they feel they are entittled to.

[onewhothinks]

12:37 AM on 02/10/2012

You just don't understand, do you? You don't even try to see the other point of view. You're just deadlocked in an ideology, and no matter what the truth is, you will deny it in favor of this ideology without thinking.

That's what values are - pre-calculated decisions you can fall back to in a pinch. The problem is that people fall back to them whether or not they are presented with new information. You lack perspective.

I know this because you are trying to shame others for their convictions - that, and that you think that they will be shamed. People didn't give to planned parenthood out of some selfish motivation. They wanted to help people who rely on Planned Parenthood's services. They were being charitable. They felt betrayed by Komen - probably more so than you do.

[dank2786]

09:23 PM on 02/09/2012

why support people who accept death as a way of life

[yankhadenuf]

09:49 PM on 02/09/2012

Agreed. I was at the peace movement during the Iraq War witnessing "pro-choicers" hijacking our anti-war rallies with their pro-abortion signs! This is how Planned Parenthood operates, they can't have abortion walkathons, so they hijack, coerce, and shakedown other organizations and movements, on the right AND left.

[kilthistle]

02:22 AM on 02/10/2012

HA! You're planning on not dying then?

[delliottg4]

09:11 PM on 02/09/2012

I think everyone is getting far from the real problem here. If I gave you $100.00 every year for 5 year's, then decided not to, that is my right. I owe you nothing. Don't you think you should be grateful for the money I did give you, but not assume I OWE YOU THAT EVERY YEAR. It was a gift. A bonus. You want money, go out and earn it yourself.

[onewhothinks]

12:45 AM on 02/10/2012

It doesn't matter what your rights are. There's no sense in you chastising someone for being angered at a morally dubious action by an organization they trusted to fight a disease said organization was started to combat.

[delliottg4]

10:33 PM on 02/10/2012

The goal Komen for cancer had, was for a CURE. That is where the money should have gone. Who should decide where the money goes---the giver or the taker?

[drummlaw]

08:41 PM on 02/09/2012

Handel is only part of the new political agenda at Komen. Witness, Ari Fleischer consulting/advising Komen on the selection of executives. The subterfuge about "organizations under investigation" is just that, a subterfuge. A strong anti-abortion congressman opens an investigation; Komen changes its rules that say they don't fund anybody "under investigation" (Why haven't they dropped Penn. State?); Komen then defunds Planned Parenthood.

Come on, Komen, just how stupid do you think people are? My advice: Find somebody to donate to directly, rather than fund this right-wing wacko bunch at Komen. Screw them.

[MosesDidItBest]

07:43 PM on 02/09/2012

Regardless of what health care women get and need, this isn't about abortion, nor should it be about religion which it really is in the minds of those who would end PP, this is about freedom, the word everyone bandies about but have no concept of, especialy when it comes to women.

For women to be the equal of men, they must have this choice or their bodies do not belong to them, it then belongs to whichever radicalrepublican fundamentalist like KarenHandel or the GOP doing the bidding of religious groups.

Without this choice for women, states where they have tried to pass or have passed laws banning abortion and this organization are saying women need to be cared for and are not smart enough to make their own choices.

Try sterilizing men who have had more than 3 children, let's see how fast that gets shot down.

A women is not free unless she has the right to determine what she can or cannot do with her body. UNtil men grow a uterus, they have no say in this matter unless they supprt freedom for women, all women, regardless of socioeconomic standing or religious affiliation.

Until that day, no woman in the country is free. The right wing evangelicals and other religious groups have turned this into a political football. This isn't about politics, it is about freedom.

Until that time comes when a woman is free, despite the fact she can vote, her body is not her own.

[jasmperez]

02:33 AM on 02/10/2012

A fetus is a new human with a new DNA unlike any that ever was and a different being from the mother. Freedom is for humans. Act like one. Use you brain. Make informed choices with your uterus. Teach your daughters. Once you have conceived you will never be the same whether you terminate or birth. You will never be the same. Abortion isn't healthcare. Its the violent interruption of a natural human process. Another one of us is trying to begin.

[Middle of the Roader]

11:58 PM on 02/23/2012

That is why education regarding contraception and safe sex is vitally important. If we were not pretending abstinance works, we would be educating our kids to use contraception intelligently and abortion wouldn't be needed. I don't see you commenting about the boys who are planting the seed.

[Middle of the Roader]

11:52 PM on 02/23/2012

Well said. Republican/evangelical men seem to be obsessed with women and their reproduction. It's weird don't you think?