Katharine Graham: The Matriarch Behind the Washington Post Empire

Katharine the Great: Katharine Graham and Her Washington Post Empire

by Deborah Davis

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6483 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Katharine Graham was an American publisher who served as the publisher of The Washington Post from 1963 to 1991. She was the first woman to lead a major American newspaper. During her tenure, the Post published the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal, which helped to bring down President Richard Nixon. Graham was also a vocal advocate for women's rights and a philanthropist.

Early Life and Career

Katharine Meyer Graham was born on June 16, 1917, in New York City. Her father, Eugene Meyer, was a financier and the former chairman of the Federal Reserve. Her mother, Agnes Ernst Meyer, was a socialite and philanthropist. Graham attended Vassar College and graduated in 1938. After graduating from college, she worked as a reporter for The Washington Post. In 1946, she married Philip Graham, who was the publisher of The Washington Post.

Publisher of The Washington Post

In 1963, Philip Graham committed suicide. Katharine Graham took over as publisher of The Washington Post. She was the first woman to lead a major American newspaper. Under her leadership, the Post became one of the most respected newspapers in the world.

In 1971, the Post published the Pentagon Papers, which were a secret study of the Vietnam War. The publication of the Pentagon Papers led to a major scandal and helped to turn public opinion against the war.

In 1972, the Post published the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The Post's coverage of Watergate was a major factor in Nixon's downfall.

Women's Rights and Philanthropy

Graham was a vocal advocate for women's rights. She was a member of the National Women's Political Caucus and the National Organization for Women. She also served on the board of the Ford Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Graham was a generous philanthropist. She supported a variety of causes, including education, the arts, and civil rights. She also established the Katharine Graham School of Journalism and Public Service at the University of Maryland.

Death and Legacy

Graham died on July 17, 2001, at the age of 84. She was survived by her three children, Donald Graham, Lally Weymouth, and Stephen Graham.

Graham was a pioneering woman who made a significant contribution to American journalism. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and a generous philanthropist. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Katharine Graham was a remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy on American journalism. She was a pioneer for women in the workplace and a strong advocate for democracy. Her work helped to shape the course of American history.

Katharine the Great: Katharine Graham and Her Washington Post Empire

by Deborah Davis

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6483 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE