Journalist
Helen Thomas
Notes from Evan Smith
"Helen Thomas is probably best known to political watchers as the long-time White House Correspondent for United Press International, sitting front and center at Presidential press conferences for decades. This “First Lady of the Press” was an early pioneer for other women working in journalism at the national level, and has covered the daily White House beat for every President since John F. Kennedy. She left UPI in 2000, and now writes a syndicated column for Hearst Newspapers, where she now shares her opinions about the politics and politicians she covered dispassionately for so long. Thomas was born in Kentucky, but spent most of her childhood in Detroit, where she began her journalism career writing for the high school paper. After graduating from Michigan’s Wayne State University, she took her first paid position as a “copy boy” at the now-defunct Washington Daily News. Her goal, she says, was to work as a journalist in Washington, covering the events that made history. In 1943, Thomas moved to United Press International, where she spent twelve years writing news for radio. Until late 1960, she covered a variety of topics, including the FBI and the Federal government. That November, she began covering President-elect John F. Kennedy, moving into the White House Press Corps when he took office in January, 1961. Thomas soon began closing Presidential press conferences by saying, “Thank you, Mr. President” – a phrase she is often credited with originating. In fact, Thomas says she was actually continuing a long tradition that had begun with her predecessor. During the Johnson administration, Thomas spent a good deal of time in Texas, and befriended a number of Texans, many of whom she maintains friendships with today. Thomas is a popular speaker at events nationwide, and has emerged as a vocal critic of President George W. Bush since leaving UPI. She has written three books: Front Row at the White House: My Life and Times, Dateline: White House and Thanks for the Memories, Mr. President." - Evan Smith, Texas Monthly Talks, Broadcast 8.26.04
