● January 2011 - After an unsuccessful run for Georgia governor, Karen Handel joins the Susan G. Komen Foundation as a consultant. She was then hired as a senior vice president for public policy. During the Georgia primary, Handel’s platform included advocating for Planned Parenthood’s defunding.
● Spring 2011 - The Komen board forms a three-member subcommittee to look into Planned Parenthood funding. Komen staff also begin meeting on the issue. Both the staff review and board subcommittee conclude that funding for Planned Parenthood should continue.
● Sept. 29, 2011 - Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) sends a letter to Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, notifying her of a Congressional investigation into whether her group has illegally used federal funds for abortions.
● Nov. 29, 2011 - The Komen board votes unanimously to take action that would bar funding Planned Parenthood.
● Nov. 30, 2011 - Mollie Williams, a senior official in charge of Komen’s community grants, resigns.
● Dec. 16, 2011 - Komen President Elizabeth Thompson calls Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards to inform her of the foundation’s decision.
● Jan. 31, 2012 - The Associated Press breaks the news that Komen has adopted new grant policies that bar Planned Parenthood from receiving funding. A Komen spokesperson says the new policy bars funding to groups under government investigation, citing Rep. Stearn’s probe in Congress.
● Feb. 3, 2012 - The Komen Foundation reverses course to say that only those under “criminal” investigation will be barred. Planned Parenthood is once again eligible to apply.
● Feb. 7, 2012 - Handel sends Komen CEO and Founder Nancy Brinker a letter of resignation, effective immediately.
More Washington Post coverage of the Komen controversy:
- Komen vice president Karen Handel resigns
- She the People: What Komen spends on Komen
