From the Associated Press:

Frances Lewine, a White House correspondent for The Associated Press during the administrations of six presidents, from Eisenhower to Carter, died Saturday of a probable stroke. She was 86.

Lewine joined the Washington bureau of the AP in 1956 to cover
general assignments, including White House social events and other
activities of the first family. But despite her sometimes glamorous assignments, she often expressed frustration that she was relegated to social and family stories and sidebars while male colleagues covered the president.

Lewine became a leader among women journalists in the 1950s, '60s
and '70s, protesting discrimination against women in jobs and
assignments. She was president of The Women's National Press Club at
a time when some major journalistic organizations excluded women or
limited their participation. The efforts of Lewine and other
reporters eventually led to such groups as the National Press Club
and the Gridiron Club opening their membership to women.