Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas, born on August 4, 1920, was a distinguished American journalist and author, renowned for her extensive career as a member of the White House press corps. Over her remarkable tenure, she covered the White House during the administrations of ten U.S. presidents, starting with John F. Kennedy and concluding in the second year of Barack Obama's presidency.

Her career spanned an impressive fifty-seven years with the United Press and its successor, United Press International (UPI), where she began as a correspondent and later ascended to the role of White House bureau manager. In 2000, she transitioned to writing columns for Hearst Newspapers, where she continued to provide insights on national affairs and the White House until her retirement in 2010.

Thomas was a trailblazer for women in journalism, being the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents' Association, and the first female member of the Gridiron Club. Throughout her career, she authored six books, with her final work, co-authored with Craig Crawford, titled 'Listen Up, Mr. President: Everything You Always Wanted Your President to Know and Do,' published in 2009.

Her retirement from Hearst Newspapers on June 7, 2010, followed a controversial incident where she made remarks about Israel during an impromptu interview. After this, she continued to contribute as an opinion columnist for the Falls Church News-Press until February 2012, leaving behind a legacy of fearless journalism and advocacy for press freedom.