[3][4] Following her graduation from high school, she found work as a physician's assistant in Long Beach, and began dating, and then subsequently married, Bennie McLendon.
Following his graduation from the University of Southern California's law school and their 1935 wedding, she relocated with him to Phoenix, Arizona, where he had been hired by an insurance company.
[3][4] Mitchell subsequently became famous for her interactions with McLendon and other prominent journalists, including Helen Thomas, and was described by Time magazine as one of the most influential women in Washington.
[3] In addition, McLendon collaborated with Frances Fitzgerald "Scottie" Smith to research and write the 1970 book, Don't Quote Me: Washington Newswomen & the Power Society.
[3][20][21][22][23][24] During her later years, McLendon expanded her byline's reach further by researching and writing cover stories and other feature articles for major American magazines, including Good Housekeeping, Ladies' Home Journal, Look, McCall's, Newsday, and Town and Country.