Anne O'Hare McCormick

Background

Anne O'Hare McCormick (1880-1954) was a foreign news correspondent for the New York Times. She was born in Yorkshire, England, and was then brought to American as an infant. After graduating from the College of Saint Mary of the Springs in Columbus, Ohio, she got a job as an associate editor for the Catholic Universe Bulletin, which was her only journalistic experience, before she began her association with The Times in 1922. In 1911, she married Mr. McCormick, a Dayton engineer, who frequently travelled abroad. The absorption of information during the travels with her husband was one of the key factors of her success in her career as a journalist.

The first woman to serve as a regular contributor to the editorial page of New York Times

At the time when in the field of journalism were mostly men, it was hard for a woman to become a long- term journalist for a newspaper, not to mention serving as a regular contributor to the editorial page of New York Times. But McCormick made it. She even became the first woman ever be appointed to the previously eight-man editorial board of the paper. Ahead of the outbreak of World War II, McCormick interviewed many of the most powerful political leaders such as Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, German leader Adolf Hitler, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill, President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt, Popes Pius XI and XII. 

Style of work

During the 1930s and 1940s, McCormick emerged as one of the most prominent journalists of her time. Her excellent style of work had become a great model in the field of journalism. During her interviews, she listened carefully instead of taking notes, and her manner was always quiet, intelligent, and penetrating. She treated important figures as human beings, which became the reason why they admired and respected her so much.