Helen Thomas - Lebanese Journalist - Dies at 92

Helen Thomas, longest serving correspondent to the White House, has seen a lot of history before it was history. Originally born in Kentucky as one of seven children, her parents came from Lebanon. Her father, an Orthodox Christian, came originally from Tripoli with the name Antonious, which he American-ized to Thomas.

Helen advising Kennedy to visit Dallas - 1963

When Helen first began her career, journalism was not for women. In fact, she was usually the only female correspondent at press events. But Helen was ambitious, she had her heart set for Washington DC. She found a job working for the Washington Daily News, but then joined a widespread employees stike. The strike was unsuccessful, and Helen lost her job. She then found her way as a reporter for womens' issues at a different publication.

Her eye never left politics. She began covering the campaign of John Kennedy from a woman's perspective, all the way until he was in the White House. Which is exactly what she did.

With a fresh new approach as a woman, Helen sat on the White House's press corps. She listened intently and asked questions directly to the president, looking to inform her readers. Kennedy may have been the first president that Helen reported under, but was certainly not the last. 

In fact, Kennedy was just the beginning of a prominent career reporting with all the presidents of the latter half of the 20th Century. Originally as just "the" woman reporter, Helen was first at opening doors for women to enter into the elite echelon of reporting. By the Nixon administration, Helen lost her reputation as "the" woman reporter and replaced it with a reputation as "the" hardliner reporter. Helen asked tough questions, and was not afraid to press until she got an answer.

Helen telling an Anti-Semitic Joke

When Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, opened negotiations with China, Helen came along on the presidential plane. One of the few reporters to not only visit China, but on this historic negotiation with Mao Tse-Tsung and the Communist Chinese State.

Nixon's talks with China were an epic success. Swaying this complex Cold War enemy away from Russia, and towards the American people. This was the start of a strong relationship that has lasted well into the modern day, as China is America's ally and go-between with the nuclear North Korea. China is also the United States's largest trade ally.

Helen

She was happy to address classrooms, and challenged youth to be critical in thinking. Helen has not been afraid to challenge common views. In fact, regarding the Obama administration, Helen out cried against the heavy controls that Obama was forcing over journalists. She said:

"We have had some control but not this control. I mean I'm amazed, I'm amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and you have controlled...not even Richard Nixon tried to control the press as much as President Obama"

Helen, the world is missing a powerful journalist. Regardless of your views on Iraq or Israel, you were a critical thinker and believed foremost in spreading a message without barriers. Your work for women and for Americans is noted, most reputably, in the history books.