Helen Thomas, 1920–2013

50 Years of Tough Questions and Straighter Answers

Helen Thomas speaking at the Blue Hill Fair in 2007. Thomas was a White House correspondent from the Kennedy to the Obama administrations. Fishermen's Voice photo

Helen Thomas, one of the most respected journalists in Washington, D.C., with one of the longest careers as well, died at her home in Washington on July 20th. She was 92.

Thomas covered every president from John Kennedy to Barack Obama for United Press International and later Hearst newspapers for 50 years. She was considered a trail blazing White House correspondent in a press corps dominated by men.

Among her colleagues she was the unofficial, but undisputed head of the Washington press corps. Known by all for asking tough, blunt questions to all, including and especially presidents, made her a familiar personality in Washington and on television nationally.

“Helen was a true pioneer, opening doors and breaking down barriers for generations of women in journalism,” President Obama said on Saturday.