Dear Editor,
On behalf of AAUW-Morgan Hill, I would like to thank the thousands of Americans who took a stand against the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s attempt to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screening and forced the foundation to reverse its position. We’re grateful the foundation had the courage to accept the fact that their actions were perceived as political and not in the interest of those whom they have professed to serve and withdrew.
I have no doubt the Komen Foundation has nothing but good intentions when it comes to women’s health, but unfortunately their leadership got caught up in the propaganda being waged against Planned Parenthood. Luckily, the response from the public was fast and furious. They signaled by their actions that not only would they financially support Planned Parenthood but would also withdraw support from the Komen Foundation. The damage done to the name of the foundation could be irreversible, although the fact they quickly saw their error and turned around in might reverse their ill thought out actions. But in my mind, permanent damage has been done, and the organization will not be looked on with the same respect it once enjoyed as long as their leadership continues to run the organization on politics instead of concern for the health of underserved women.
Margaret McCann, President, American Association of University Women – Morgan Hill Branch
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