Editorial

Press Women of Courage ...June 19, 2010

Helen Thomas, a veteran reporter who has been on the White House Press Corp for many years resigned June 7, 2010,  after making a remark about Israel.  Her remarks followed the news of an Israeli raid on a flotilla in international waters.  Because as a woman reporter she left an indelible mark in historic circles, we decide to share her story. 

Reading from the video clip of the remarks that forced her into retirement, which was flashed on the screen several times when the story unfolded, you may notice that it may have been an unauthorized recording of a personal remark to someone she knew and probably trusted.  It appears the individual might have hidden those button cameras or similar concealed devices.  But that was not the issue.  It was about getting rid of one of the most courageous women that ever graced the floors of the number one residential palace; the residence of the President of the United States.

Thomas has been in the media circles for years, always moving on when the questionable integrity of her employers or the job became unacceptable to her.  For example, she used to work for The Washington Times, until its purchase by a big money contributor to the Republican Party named Reverend Sun Myung-Moon. Otherwise she made remarkable progress at a time when women faced stiff opposition for even lower jobs.  Wikipedia reports that “She was the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents' Association, and the first female member of the Gridiron Club. She has written five books;”

She was born in the State of Kentucky, in the United States, though her parents migrated from Tripoli, a Syrian city in the 1890s, which would later become part of modern day Lebanon.  Her career as a journalist has always illuminated her, because she has remained for years a trail blazer, always known and noted as the one who asks the hard questions when others cow down.  Even at times of strict control of the press, such as during the previous administration, Ms. Thomas remained the voice that asked the real hard questions.  She was subsequently moved to the back row of the briefing room by the Bush Administration, and was neglected for three years. That means she could get a story from attending the conference, but she wasn’t being called upon to ask her question of either the President or his Press Secretary.

Ms. Thomas has covered many Presidents and had remained tough with all of them.  Even with the present Obama Administration she criticized it as being too controlling of the press.  The President however was seen celebrating her birthday on the screens, which happen to also coincide with his own birthday.  She turned 89 on August 4, 2009, and it seems for now, that it would be the last birthday she will celebrate as a White House Press Corp member.

An online publication Consortium News wrote a piece June 8, 2010 with many commendations for the lady titled “Standing Up for Helen Thomas.”  In it Robert Perry, its writer praised her principled coverage of events in one of the most important corridors of power.  Her rise to that level as a woman was not easy but Helen is not someone who would give up easily.  He writes, “Thomas also had the integrity to refuse to allow her name and reputation to be used by South Korean theocrat (and right-wing funder) Sun Myung Moon when he took over United Press International in 2000. Then the best-known journalist at UPI, she resigned as an act of principle.”  

Others who praised her after the news of her resignation hit the papers included James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute.  “It is a shame that her career ends this way. But Helen should be honored and revered for her decades of professionalism, not remembered for one mistake.” As for the apparent victors such as Ari Fletcher and Sarah Palin, he wrote, their game is unmistakably one sided.  Where were they, he inquired for example, when radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh made “insulting comments about African Americans, gays, Muslims, and women and then was hosted and toasted at the White House?”

Though very courageous, there were others like her.   Sarah McClendon has a similar life story.  Born July 8, 1910 in Texas, she passed away in 2003 at the age of 92 after a remarkable journalistic career including being a member of the White House Press Corp.  Wiki described her as one whose “questions at United States Presidential press conferences … often ranged from aggressive to brash or blunt.”   She covered Presidential news for about 50 years.  Her career included the military.  She insisted in joining it and would not accept being turned back.  Finally she was let in, and she served as a public relation officer and rose to the position of Lieutenant.   A single mother who raised a daughter by herself, Sarah is better known for her propagation of what are generally regarded as conspiracy theories.

So to Ms Thomas we say, take solace in the fact that you have served well, and may have in the course of your professional journey, inspired thousands of little Helens, who may have already made a decision to go into the career to clean up the profession; for the watchdog of the people, and its fourth estate has long been asleep.

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