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Perle Mesta, the renowned social queen of Washington

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Perle Mesta was a hostess who gave dazzling parties in Washington , D.C. , mixing power brokers from both sides of the political aisle.

She was one of the best-known women in America in the 1940s and '50s .

She inspired a "Playhouse 90 " production, " The Hostess with the Mostes' ," with Shirley Booth in the lead role.

Perle Mesta , a staunch feminist and believer in civil rights, broke barriers in 1949 by insisting that Truman 's inaugural balls be integrated.

She estimated that 25,000 people, soldiers came to her parties.

Mesta 's star began to fade during the Kennedy years .

She died in 1975 at 92 years old .