Katharine Graham was an influential American publisher and businesswoman, best known for her role as the CEO of The Washington Post Company. She led the newspaper during a critical time in American history, particularly during the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Born on June 16, 1917, in New York City, Graham became the first female publisher of a major American newspaper. Her leadership helped shape modern journalism, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002 for her contributions to the field. She passed away on July 17, 2001.