Katherine Graham: The First Woman CEO

Improved Essays
The First Woman CEO
Katherine Graham is known as one of the most influential women ever in business. She was the first woman CEO in the U.S. taking over the position at the Washington Post previously held by her husband. Graham, however, is most known for her outstanding coverage of the Watergate scandal. This leadership she showed in these two aspects of her career, gave many other women the courage to pursue careers outside of being a housewife. Katherine Graham was so influential in fact, she was inducted in the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Graham’s decisions to publish the Pentagon Papers, after the New York Times had been court ordered not to do so, and to proceed with the Watergate investigation earned her a reputation as a courageous,
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This was in a lot of ways predetermined for Katherine by her father, as he had donated a large amount of land to the school. During this time, her father also purchased the Washington Post for $875,000. Meyer was already retired at the time of the purchase, but grew restless and wanted a platform to voice his opinions. The decision would later prove to be life changing for Katherine Graham.
After leaving Madeira, Graham briefly attended Vassar College before transferring to the University of Chicago. From the start, she regarded Chicago as a more stimulating campus. She became friends with a very diverse group of people stemming from all walks of life differing from her own. It was also here that she became very interested in Labor issues. Shortly after leaving, she covered a major strike by wharf workers while working for the San Francisco
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Many generalized her as the “mother” or “cheerleader” of the office. Even after reaching a point in her career that many never dreamed of reaching, regardless of race, she still mentions the fact in her book that she lacked self-assurance. Even through all of these, Graham continue to thrive. Under Graham 's management, The Washington Post produced a huge growth in social influence and was held in regards as one of the two best newspapers in the country. It was not only read and examined by the important politicians and businessmen, but also blue collar workers in America. At this time, Graham lacked confidence in herself but that lack of confidence was not seen in the business of the Washington Post. She did everything in her power to make the family business succeed and it

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