Editor’s Note: In the past two issues, SCOOP has featured articles about Katharine Graham, renowned publisher of the Washington Post. You can read Tom Doerr’s articles here and
here. After reading Tom’s last piece, press club member Rick Pullen wrote to Tom, saying his Kay Graham story is similar. Tom replied to Rick: “I loved your Katharine Graham story… a great example of a person who was exceptional in every way.” Tom says he recognizes that by publishing Rick’s story, SCOOP is covering “a bit of Graham the last few weeks,” adding, “but maybe it will inspire others to share stories of great journalists.”
I was a 16-year old kid who delivered the Washington Post. My 35 papers were delivered to me early each morning by an old country boy named George Eliot. He talked with a stutter and had been the route manager for years.
Katharine Graham 1970s
In 1970 he decided to take three of his paper carriers for a tour of the Washington Post. We were walking through the newsroom when this middle-aged woman walks up and says, “Hi George.” He introduced us to Katharine Graham, whom he described as the publisher.
I thought it odd a woman was publisher of the newspaper at that time. And I found it odd she knew George, remembered his name, and he knew her. She greeted all of us and chatted for a couple of minutes before going off to who-knows-where in the building.
It was years later when I was studying journalism in college that I understood who Katharine Graham really was.