McGrory, Mary (1918–2004)

views updated

McGrory, Mary (1918–2004)

American journalist. Born Aug 22, 1918, in Boston, Massachusetts; died April 21, 2004, in Washington DC; dau. of Edward Patrick McGrory (postal worker) and Mary (Jacobs) McGrory; Emmanuel College, BA, 1939; never married; no children.

Nationally syndicated American columnist who in 1975 became the 1st woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for commentary; worked in publishing (1939–42); joined Boston Herald staff as a secretary (1942), and became book reviewer; served as regular book reviewer for Washington Star (1947–54); became one of the most respected journalists in Washington, DC, covering McCarthy hearings (1954) and assigned to national desk; started 1st regular column (1960); won Pulitzer Prize for commentary on Watergate scandal (1975); wrote passionate columns against the Vietnam War which ran defiantly contrary to the Star's proVietnam editorial policy; covered Three Mile Island story (1979); after the Star folded, took a news position at the Washington Post; had column syndicated nationally (1985). Won George R. Polk Memorial Award (1962).

See also Women in World History.

More From encyclopedia.com