Helen Thomas

Posted September 20, 2008, 10:26 pm in News


Helen Thomas
Born: August 4, 1920

Groundbreaking female journalist and bestselling author who served as United Press International's chief White House correspondent for more than 25 years. Thomas has covered U.S. presidents since John F. Kennedy.She was the first woman officer of the National Press Club after it opened its doors to women members, the first woman member and president of the White House Correspondents Association and the first woman member of the Gridiron Club.

After the Age of Seventy:

• At the age of 78, (1998) she received the International Women's Media Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
• At the age of 78, (1998) honored by President and Mrs. Clinton as the first recipient of the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
• At the age of 83, (2003) she was given an Intrepid Award by the National Organization for Women.
• At the age of 83, (2003) she was given the Friend of Freedom Award by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
• At the age of 86, (2006) Thomas wroteher 4th book, Watchdogs of Democracy.
• At the age of 86, (2006) Thomas was inducted into the Michigan Walk of Fame in downtown Lansing, Michigan.
• At the age of 87, (2007) Thomas received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Siena College in Loudonville, New York.
• At the age of 88, (2008) Thomas received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
• At the age of 88, (2008) Thomas received an honorary Doctor of Journalism from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.
• At the age of 88, (2008) she continues to cover the White House for Hearst Newspapers as a national affairs correspondent; has been out ill since May but remains on contract.
• At the age of 88, (2008) she co-authored a children's book in 2008.
  

Quotes:

• “I think I'll work all my life. When you're having fun, why stop having fun?”
• “I told the young leaders that the 21st Century is theirs and they should not blow it. Try to reject war and give peace a chance. Question the powers that be and find out why they make the dubious decisions they do that send young people to war.”
• "It's time for women to make their voices heard. Their silence on the subject of war and peace is deafening."
  

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