How United Way Handled a Scandal

To the Editor:

For more than 20 years I held professional positions with the Alexandria United Way of the United Way of the National Capital Area, in Washington.

I read with interest the recent, highly flattering article on Brian A. Gallagher, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of America, and his effort to restore and redirect the United Way movement (“A New Era for Nation’s United Ways,” May 13). I was surprised at the description of his role concerning the dismissal of the United Way of the National Capital Area’s then-chief executive Norman O. Taylor in 2002.

Long before Mr. Gallagher called for Mr. Taylor to step down, both volunteers and staff alike from the Washington United Way were rebuffed by Mr. Gallagher when they appealed to him for help with conditions under Mr. Taylor’s management.

Mr. Gallagher only found his “courage” after the Washington Redskins announced the suspension of their longstanding partnership with the United Way, after the F.B.I. appeared on the United Way’s doorstep, after Sen. Charles Grassley [Republican of Iowa] demanded answers, and after nearly 80 articles had appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and numerous other publications.

While the situation at United Way was disintegrating, Mr. Gallagher provided high-level staff members to bolster Norm Taylor’s tenure and arranged for expensive public-relations consulting from Hill & Knowlton to secure Norm Taylor’s position.

In reality, it was through the sustained efforts of a handful of volunteers, former and current staff, and interested members of the community that Norman Taylor was finally forced to resign. This happened in spite of Brian Gallagher, not because of him.

Revisionism may be a useful public-relations tool but collective public memory may well hinder Mr. Gallagher’s efforts to restore the United Way’s position as a major charitable force.

Nancy LaValle Perkins
Alexandria, Va.