Nancy Brinker's Salary Raises Questions
In the week that followed Nancy Brinker's statement that the foundation she helped build, Susan G. Komen, would no longer give money to Planned Parenthood, swift and thunderous public outcry quickly forced Brinker to reverse her previous decision.
The reaction was so profound the Brinker went on YouTube in an effort to explain her actions. In the video Brinker reiterates her decision was not political, and that her foundation "would never bow to pressure."
SEE VIDEO OF NANCY G. BRINKER, FOUNDER AND CEO OF SUSAN G. KOMEN
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But all that would be for not because late last week Brinker had a change of heart. She apologized to the American public "for recent decisions" and assured those interested that they had re-secured the relationship with Planned Parenthood.
But this is not the end of controversy for the 66-year-old businesswoman, diplomat, and Medal of Freedom recipient. Brinker, who established the world's largest breast cancer nonprofit, is currently CEO of the organization.
Internal Revenue Service documents showed that she received base a compensation of $417,171 from April 2010 to March 2011.
Brinker has raised billions to prevent and battle the disease. During the 1980s Brinker was faced with breast cancer which she managed to overcome and it gave her the determination to protect her now world-famous brand.
The battle for funding is highly competitive. And Brinker has left many small organizations wondering why such ferocity is needed when everyone has the same goal of helping those in need.
Some of these organizations have even faced legal objections from Komen, but have only a few resources to carry-out litigation leaving them to fend for themselves.
"Komen plays hardball and is determined to stay on top," says a member of another cancer organization, who declined to be identified. "Let's be honest about all this: people think of breast cancer as a charity, but it's really a major business."
