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News & ArtsThursday, February 2, 2012
News Behind the Komen Decision: Komen's Top Public Health Official Resigned in Protest
Posted by Jen Graves on Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 9:21 AM
The Atlantic continues to rock the coverage of the Komen controversy, with this just in:
The decision, made in December, caused an uproar inside Komen. Three sources told me that the organization's top public health official, Mollie Williams, resigned in protest immediately following the Komen board's decision to cut off Planned Parenthood. Williams, who served as the managing director of community health programs, was responsible for directing the distribution of $93 million in annual grants. Williams declined to comment when I reached her yesterday on whether she had resigned her position in protest, and she declined to speak about any other aspects of the controversy.
But John Hammarley, who until recently served as Komen's senior communications adviser and who was charged with managing the public relations aspects of Komen's Planned Parenthood grant, said that Williams believed she could not honorably serve in her position once Komen had caved to pressure from the anti-abortion right. "Mollie is one of the most highly respected and ethical people inside the organization, and she felt she couldn't continue under these conditions," Hammarley said. "The Komen board of directors are very politically savvy folks, and I think over time they thought if they gave in to the very aggressive propaganda machine of the anti-abortion groups, that the issue would go away. It seemed very short-sighted to me."
Furthermore, "But the Komen board made the decision despite the recommendation of the organization's professional staff to keep funding Planned Parenthood."
There's much more in the story on the atmosphere and dialogue inside Komen on this issue. Read the whole thing.
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This 'foundation' is no longer concerned with all women's health - just rich Christian womens' health. Guess it shouldn't be surprising since that seems to be the on-going narrative these days - if you're not white AND rich, then you just don't deserve to live.
This 'foundation's decision was made out of ignorance, pure and simple, and based on nothing more than woo-woo claptrap and their desire to keep cramming their pockets with rich white lady cash donations and cha-ching from their store and pink-ribbon-slathered products. Ugh.
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Perhaps Ask Science could comment on cancer awareness vs. cancer research/treatment. I know I'm not as informed as I could be.
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Thank you for contacting me. As a public health professional, I must honor the confidentiality of my former employer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and for this reason, I 'm not responding to questions about Komen's decision to no longer fund Planned Parenthood.
However, anyone who knows me personally would tell you that I am an advocate for women's health. I have dedicated my career to fighting for the rights of the marginalized and underserved. And I believe it would be a mistake for any organization to bow to political pressure and compromise its mission.
I have deep admiration for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the millions of women who benefit from Komen's work. It was an honor to oversee and expand their public health efforts during my six years there. At the same time, I respect the work of Planned Parenthood, including their lifesaving efforts to detect cancer in its earliest stages.
The divide between these two very important organizations saddens me. I am hopeful their passionate and courageous leaders, Nancy Brinker and Cecile Richards, can swiftly resolve this conflict in a manner that benefits the women they both serve.
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I don't see the issue everyone has with the Susan Komen foundation?!?!?
Oh I forgot...you cancer patients...take a three day walk...BITCHES. Just pay the foundation!!
I doubt they get most of their cash from rich white ladies. Rich white ladies go to fundraiser galas at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They aren't going to rub elbows with the hoi polloi at a breast cancer walk.
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they are about 85-90% female, except at the exec level. I would consider in some parts of the country they are 75% church going christians.
Very few non-whites at middle and exec levels
they love to hire people fresh out of college to manage the events, which leads to a turnover rate of 20-40% a year at the ground level. lots of mismanaged funds due to inexperience.
Low level employess make shit money, but if you can survive for a few years and get promoted you can make decent cash. they get awesome benes right off the bat (4 weeks paid vacation to start)
Being gay is somewhat acceptable if you work in the right part of the country, and in the right office. but you better be damn good at your job.
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Actually, I imagine they already do. This decision will prove to be their undoing, as it has already proved to be their un-masking.
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