Chapter 38 Summary: Women Worth Knowing — Key Moments and Themes

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

In November 1963, Margaret Ryan waits five weeks after her meeting with Katharine Graham, hearing nothing. She fills the time with domestic tasks—reading, cooking, sewing Halloween costumes, and helping a friend wallpaper—while trying to suppress her hopes. Bitsy and others reassure her that Graham is busy, but Margaret’s anticipation slowly fades into resignation.

Finally, Graham’s social secretary, Gloria Sizemore, calls with a luncheon invitation at Graham’s Georgetown home. Margaret arrives to find about fifteen women journalists gathered in the library, all accomplished and well known to one another. Graham introduces Margaret as a freelancer and candidly tells her she cannot offer a job, but that connections matter. She advises Margaret that a friend can give a leg up, but she must pull herself over the top.

Feeling out of place, Margaret is approached by Susan Stamberg, a young program director at WAMU radio. Susan recognizes Margaret’s essay and suggests she consider journalism school, noting that credentials are essential. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who enters with a Secret Service agent and declares everything off the record.

The women share stories of breaking into journalism. Jackie recounts her early days as the “Inquiring Camera Girl” at the Washington Times-Herald, including crashing a press event to meet Princess Elizabeth and bluffing her way into Griffith Stadium to interview Ted Williams. Mary McGrory and Bess Furman also tell tales of seizing small opportunities. Margaret is struck by their camaraderie and realizes these women could be like her book club—the Bettys.

As the party ends, Jackie promises to call Graham on Saturday after returning from Dallas. Margaret leaves inspired, understanding that her path forward requires more than talent; it requires persistence and connections.

Key Events

Margaret endures a five-week silence from Katharine Graham, filling time with domestic chores and reading.
Graham’s secretary invites Margaret to a luncheon at Graham’s Georgetown home.
Margaret meets a room of accomplished women journalists, including Nancy Dickerson, Bess Furman, Helen Thomas, and Susan Stamberg.
Graham tells Margaret she cannot offer a job and that she is “not ready” for hard journalism, but emphasizes the power of connections.
Susan Stamberg advises Margaret to consider journalism school and mentions WAMU internships.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arrives, and the women share stories of their early career struggles and triumphs.
Jackie recounts her time as the “Inquiring Camera Girl” and her bold attempts to land interviews.
The chapter ends with Jackie promising to call Graham on Saturday after returning from Dallas.

Character Development

Margaret Ryan: Margaret’s imposter syndrome is on full display as she feels out of place among accomplished journalists. Yet she also experiences a shift: she recognizes that these women, despite their achievements, share the same scrappy determination she has. Her realization that “they could be Bettys” signals a growing sense of belonging and a clearer vision of her own potential.
Katharine Graham: Graham is portrayed as a pragmatic mentor. She offers no false promises but provides honest guidance, emphasizing that connections open doors but individual effort is required. Her decision to include Margaret in this gathering shows her belief in Margaret’s potential.
Susan Stamberg: A young, self-assured professional, Susan serves as a practical advisor. She validates Margaret’s writing talent but pushes her to gain formal credentials, embodying the mentorship theme.
Jacqueline Kennedy: Jackie’s stories reveal her as a determined, resourceful young woman who used nerve and hard work to break into journalism. Her presence elevates the gathering and underscores the theme of seizing opportunities.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Networking and Connections: Graham’s explicit advice—that “this town is all about connections”—drives the chapter. The luncheon itself is a networking event, and Margaret learns that relationships are as important as talent.
Women in Journalism: The chapter highlights the barriers women faced in a male-dominated field. Each woman’s story involves overcoming dismissals and finding creative ways to get bylines.
Seizing Opportunities: Jackie’s tales of crashing events and taking on unwanted assignments illustrate the motif of turning small chances into career ladders.
Mentorship and Advice: Graham and Susan both offer guidance, showing how experienced women support newcomers.
Domesticity vs. Career: Margaret’s waiting period is filled with housework, contrasting with the professional world she aspires to enter. The chapter suggests that domestic life can coexist with ambition.
Camaraderie Among Women: The women’s easy banter and shared stories mirror the Bettys’ book club, reinforcing the idea that female solidarity is a source of strength.
The Feminine Mystique: The book is referenced as a catalyst for Margaret’s essay and the women’s discussions, linking the chapter to broader feminist themes.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for Margaret’s arc. It moves her from passive waiting to active networking, and it provides a realistic picture of the journalism world she hopes to enter. The historical setting—just before the Kennedy assassination—adds dramatic irony, as Jackie’s promise to call on Saturday after Dallas carries tragic weight. The chapter also deepens the novel’s exploration of women’s roles in the early 1960s, showing that even the most accomplished women had to fight for recognition. Margaret’s realization that these women could be Bettys bridges her personal life and her professional aspirations, setting the stage for her next steps.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Margaret’s experience at the luncheon change her understanding of what it takes to succeed in journalism?

Margaret initially believes that a single good piece of writing might be enough. Graham’s blunt assessment—that she is “not ready” and that connections matter—forces Margaret to see that success requires both credentials and relationships. Susan’s suggestion to attend journalism school reinforces this, and the stories of the other women show that persistence and seizing small opportunities are essential.

What role does the setting (Georgetown, November 1963) play in the chapter’s themes?

The elegant, opulent setting contrasts with Margaret’s modest life, highlighting her outsider status. The historical moment—just before the Dallas trip—creates dramatic irony and underscores the fragility of the world these women inhabit. The setting also emphasizes the exclusivity of the journalism world, making Margaret’s inclusion more significant.

In what ways do the women’s stories mirror the Bettys’ book club dynamics?

The women share advice, counsel, and camaraderie, much like the Bettys do in their meetings. They also support one another’s ambitions, as seen when Susan offers practical advice to Margaret. Margaret explicitly notes that “they could be Bettys,” suggesting that the bonds of female friendship and mutual support transcend social class and profession.