Becoming Katharine Graham

Living up to one’s potential is indeed inspiring, especially for those who successfully overcome tremendous challenges in doing so. Such was the case of Katharine “Kay” Graham (1917-2001), publisher of The Washington Post newspaper and CEO of the multimedia Washington Post Co. organization, the subject of this insightful new documentary from directors George and Teddy Kunhardt. Having been unexpectedly thrust into this demanding management role after the tragic suicide of her husband Philip in 1963, Graham nevertheless assumed the reins of this position with the intent of keeping the Post as the respected family business that it had been since her father acquired it in 1933. Yet, even though Graham had some experience working for the paper and had always taken an interest in its quality and well-being, she nevertheless knew little about running a business. This was a task made all the more daunting simply by virtue of being a woman in what was at that time clearly seen as a man’s domain. Over the years, however, she learned much, becoming a role model for women in the business world, despite not seeing herself as a diehard feminist. What’s more, during this time, Graham confidently presided over the ample challenges posed by publishing the Pentagon Papers and breaking the story about the Watergate scandal, incidents that changed the nation’s political landscape and put fundamental First Amendment rights to the test. Viewers thus witness Graham’s evolution in becoming a respected and successful business leader, despite everything that could have worked against her. In telling this story, the filmmakers draw upon a wealth of historically significant archive footage, including damning excerpts from the secret White House recordings from the Nixon presidency, as well as recent interviews with friends, family members and colleagues who knew and worked with her, such as journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem, and close friend and mentor Warren Buffett. And, of course, there are numerous clips with Graham herself, candidly and succinctly revealing her perspectives on what she experienced and what we must collectively do when faced with the kinds of challenges that she and the Post had to contend with. At a time when the roles and rights of women are being threatened and the credibility and reliability of the press has come under increasing (and, some would say, justifiable) scrutiny, “Becoming Katharine Graham” serves as a powerful reminder of the hard-won nature of these fundamental protections and the need to fight for their preservation. We as a society should be grateful for individuals like Kay Graham for doing so much in bringing them into being. This film is an excellent chronicle of those efforts and a potent cautionary tale about what we might stand to lose if we let our diligence lapse.