Anne O'Hare McCormick

Anne O’Hare McCormick was a successful female journalist in the 20^th century. One of her many accomplishments is being the first woman to receive the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in journalism.

 McCormick moved from Wakefield, England to the United States with her family shortly after she was born in May of 1882. Post graduating college, she began her career in Cleveland, Ohio as an editor for the Catholic Universe Bulletin.

McCormick married Francis J. McCormick in 1911 and moved to Dayton, Ohio. Her husband’s job entailed often visits to Europe. During the trips, McCormick would write articles to the New York Times about the post-war conditions in Europe.  She was then hired a full time position at the New York Times.

McCormick wrote a column titled “In Europe,” which was produced three-times-a-week. She interviewed both civilians and world leaders in Europe. As a result of her success in writing this, she was later appointed to be a member of the New York Times editorial board. McCormick was the first female offered this position. In 1937, McCormick was awarded the ever-famous Pulitzer Prize.

Although this may seem like the ending point of McCormick’s career, she only went up from here. During World War II, she traveled from country to country and held interviews with important figures. After receiving several prizes for her accomplishments, she was named Woman of the Year by The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs in 1939 and Best Interpretive Correspondent by the Overseas Press Club in 1947.

McCormick died in May of 1954. She will be forever remembered for her journalistic accomplishments throughout her life.

Sources used :  http://www.theadvertiser.com/ads/nie/jm/JMMay.pdf, American Journalists by Donald A. Ritchie (pg 240)