McCormick was known for her concern for common people, even while making her name interviewing world leaders. She worked for the New York Times for 32 years, covering foreign affairs, and often including how the average person was affected by them. When she wasn't travelling, she wrote two editorials and three columns every week. In 1937, she became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism, for her work as a foreign correspondent.
McCormick talked to people on the street all over the world, much like Dorothy Thompson did, but she made it her speciality to discuss the average citizen when covering politics. Her friendly, humorous personality won over President Roosevelt, who allowed her and no one else to personally interview him many times. She also put world leaders at ease with her smiles and intelligence, and got good interviews out of them. And although her writing skills were fine, her peers always noticed her human qualities first, because they felt those were what made her such a good reporter -- her ability to make friends with anyone, and get them to talk comfortably with her.
Although McCormick didn't actively participate in feminist causes, she always encouraged women to find careers, and not to be intimidated by men.She was a good reporter because she believed that the truth couldn't be found in abstract politics, but in ordinary people whose lives were affected by laws and policies and wars.
McCormick valued people's stories, and reported on how politics affected their lives. Do you know anyone whose lives have been influenced by a particular law? For example, the government says that schools should spend an equal amount of money on sports for boys and girls. When this law was passed, many girls' athletic programs improved. Has your school done this in the past few years? Do you know anyone who uses food stamps? The government often cuts welfare benefits like these, and many poor women are negatively affected. Talk to people and find out how politics affect them directly.