Melinda Gates joins Washington Post board

The Washington Post announced Friday that former software executive Melinda French Gates, wife of Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, has been elected to the publishing and media conglomerate's board of directors. The company said that with the election of Gates, 39, its board has grown in size to 10 members.

The company highlighted Gates' work with charitable organizations in announcing her appointment, in particular her efforts with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has worked to furnish health care and educational opportunities to the world's underprivileged. Gates has also been recognized for her work providing IT resources to public libraries. Since retiring from her position at Microsoft in 1996, Gates has served on the Board of Trustees of Duke University and as a co-chair of the Washington State Governor's Commission on Early Learning. She remains a member of the board of directors of Drugstore.com, an online retailer.