Craig, May (1888–1975)

American journalist. Name variations: Elisabeth May Craig or Elisabeth May Adams Craig. Born Elisabeth May Adams, Dec 19, 1888, in Coosaw Mines, South Carolina; died July 15, 1975, in Silver Spring, Maryland; dau. of Alexander Adams and Elizabeth Ann (Essery) Adams (died 1893); at 6, was adopted by Frances and William Weymouth; attended George Washington University Nursing School; m. Donald A. Craig (journalist, columnist, and chief of Washington bureau of Washington Times-Herald), 1909 (died 1936); children: Donald A. Craig (b. 1910) and Betty Adams Craig (b. 1915).

The 1st woman correspondent to participate in the Berlin airlift, to attend Kaesong truce talks in Korea, to be accredited as a war correspondent by US Navy, to live on a combat ship at sea and to fly over the North Pole, began career helping husband with column for Gannett Publishing, "On the Inside in Washington" (1923); worked with Gannett papers, earning byline as political columnist (1931) and writing column "Inside in Washington" (1930s–65), remaining nonpartisan towards political parties; joined American Newspaper Guild (early 1930s); as May Craig, broadcast "Inside Washington" on radio (1940s–65); was a member of Women's National Press Club, serving as president (1943); earned accreditation as war correspondent (1944) and traveled Europe covering WWII; was a frequent panelist on radio and tv broadcasts of "Meet the Press" (1940s–65); was a member of Washington Newspaper Guild, serving as vice president and as president; helped found Eleanor Roosevelt Press Conference Association.