Cynthia Tucker

Birthday: March 13.

Hometown: Monroeville, Ala.

Married: Divorced.

Children: None.

Self-portrait: Disorganized; sloppy housekeeper; procrastinator (without daily deadlines I would never get anything done).

Bad habit: Chewing gum.

Pet peeve: People who confuse their opinions with facts.

Most dangerous story: Columns that criticized the family of MLK.

My newspaper’s strength: Strong focus on local issues.

Worst part of the job: Administrative paperwork.

Best part of the job: I get paid to read newspapers.

Vacation spot: Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches.

Books at bedside: “White Teeth,” “On Becoming Cuban.”

Best advice I could give a 20-year-old: Eat all the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream you want before slowed metabolism becomes a problem.

My trademark expression: (At the end of a tough day) I’ve had all the fun I can stand, so I’m leaving.

My best asset is: Strong opinions.

Behind my back, employees say: She’s in full diva mode today.

I wish I were a leader like: President Bartlett on “West Wing.”

My most difficult decision as a leader: Calling for Bill Clinton’s resignation in August 1998.

My worst decision as a leader: A bad hire whose name I will not disclose.

Tips on leadership: Be flexible and willing to take criticism from your staff.

What I worry about most: The nation’s continuing refusal to deal with problems related to race.