"The story of her journey from daughter to wife to widow to woman parallels to a surprising degree the history of women this century." Nora Ephron said this of Katharine Graham in her review of Mrs. Graham's Pulitzer Prize winning autobiography, Personal History. She transformed herself from the role of a housewife to being an influential force in journalism, business, and politics. She was not only a brilliant newspaper publisher, she was also a pioneer who paved the way for other women. Her integrity, courage, and class inspire me to achieve my full potential.

Mrs. Graham was born into a wealthy family. Her father, Eugene Meyer, was president and publisher of the Washington Post, which was then a mediocre paper with a low circulation. Katharine married Phillip Graham in 1940, had four children, and became a housewife and mother while Phillip took over the newspaper from her father. .

Phillip...