Helen Thomas legendary White House Reporter And First Lady of the press
On a cold and windy spring day in Detroit, Michigan, during my walk through Forest Lawn Cemetery, I discovered the grave of renowned reporter and author Helen Thomas.
Helen’s parents, Lebanese immigrants, entered Ellis Island and soon anglicized their surname from “Antonious” to “Thomas.” They settled in Detroit, running a grocery store while Helen pursued her studies at nearby Wayne State University, majoring in English.
Helen’s journalism career began in Washington during the mid-1940s through the late 1950s, working for various news agencies. Her rise accelerated in 1960 with the election of John F. Kennedy. Known as “the first lady of the press,” she covered the administrations of ten U.S. presidents, concluding her career during President Obama’s second year in office.
Often described as “the sitting Buddha” of American politics, Helen was blunt, outspoken, demanding, forceful, and unrelenting. She was known for consistently ending presidential press conferences with the respectful words, “Thank you, Mr. President.”
Helen Amelia Antonious Thomas passed away in Washington D.C. on July 20, 2013, at the age of 92.
1920-2013
Helen was very vocal about the Middle East crisis and the struggles of the Palestinians.
