The First Female Fortune 500 CEO
By: Courtney
Seeing more women in business is what we’re striving for. We want to hear about more women breaking the glass-ceiling because we love to see it!
That being said, what better place to start than with the story of the first female CEO of a fortune 500 company? Hopefully, her story will inspire you to reach for the stars!
Who’s that girl?
Katherine Graham (previously Katherine Meyer) was born on June 16, 1917, in New York City. She grew up with a wealthy lifestyle, from a high-class family and household to her father purchasing The Washington Post, and most everything in between. Unfortunately, the one luxury she didn’t acquire was that of being close to her parents.
Graham transferred from Vassar to the University of Chicago in 1938. This is where she received her undergraduate degree. She then moved to San Francisco, where she worked as a reporter.
She met her husband, Phil Graham, in Washington, D.C. They met in the fall of 1939 and were married by June 1940. Following their marriage, they had four children. Graham took on the stay-at-home role, which was very typical of the times. While, of course, her husband got to focus on his career.
When Graham’s father needed a successor at The Washington Post he turned to his son, when his son declined, he reached out to Phil. Graham’s husband accepted the offer, but later went through a severe depression that caused many issues for Graham, including her learning that he was having an affair. Phil demanded a divorce and attempted to take full control of The Washington Post. However, he was unsuccessful in these plans and he committed suicide shortly after.
Extra, Extra, Read all About it!
Just months after her husband’s death, Graham was elected president of The Washington Post. It was a role she’d never imagined being placed in, so it was a tough one for Graham to take on. Although she’d had no formal training in preparation for this role, The Washington Post wasn’t anything new to her. It’d been a part of her life since her father had bought it out, and she’d worked in other areas of the publication.
In 1965, Graham hired Ben Bradlee from Newsweek. Although they didn’t always see eye to eye, Graham considered him a partner. Together, they helped The Washington Post become one of the best newspapers in the country.
Graham became publisher in 1969 and in 1971, she decided to publish the Pentagon Papers. This wasn’t an easy decision to make, but after The New York Times was restricted from publishing the paper, she knew she had to make a move fast. Graham’s decision on this move helped elevate her publication to a national level. This was such an identifying moment in history that there was even a film based on the event, called The Post, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.
Get Inspired to be Hired
Graham didn’t previously plan on becoming the CEO of one of the most successful newspapers in the country, the opportunity sort of just fell upon her. When she was suddenly placed in that position she was very nervous and unprepared, but she didn’t let that affect her ability to achieve greatness. She worked hard and made history at The Washington Post.
Now it’s your turn! Hopefully, Graham’s story has helped ignite a flame in your heart to move forward with your goals. It’s important to remember that no dream is ever out of reach. You can achieve anything you set your mind to!
Edited by: Hayden
