Katharine Graham
Katharine Graham was an American newspaper publisher who became the first female publisher of a major American newspaper and played a key role in the Watergate scandal.
Publisher
June 16, 1917
Gemini
July 17, 2001
84
New York, New York
Katharine Meyer Graham (June 16, 1917 â July 17, 2001) was a trailblazing American newspaper publisher who led her family’s publication, The Washington Post, from 1963 to 1991. As the first female publisher of a major American newspaper in the 20th century and the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Graham made history. Under her leadership, the paper reported on the Watergate scandal, ultimately resulting in President Richard Nixon’s resignation. Additionally, she was involved in the negotiations to publish the Pentagon Papers, which played a crucial role in transforming The Washington Post into a prominent national newspaper. Graham’s Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography, “Personal History,” is among her most famous works. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for her contributions. In the 2017 film “The Post,” Meryl Streep portrayed Katharine Graham, showcasing her historic decision to publish the Pentagon Papers.