Yes, Helen Thomas said some divisive things about Israel. And yes, it seems appropriate that she’s retiring because of them. But despite the shameful end to her historic 60-plus-year career, which included covering presidents from John Kennedy to Barack Obama, the fact remains that she is an iconic journalist who broke the glass ceiling for scores of female reporters who followed the path she forged.
According to Hearst News Service, Thomas — who turns 90 in August — will retire effective immediately. She also apologized for declaring that Jews should “get the hell out of Palestine,” and suggesting they go to Germany, Poland, or the US. She made the comments May 27th for the website RabbiLIVE.com.
The comments bring an otherwise awe-inspiring career to an abrupt end. According to her website, Thomas’ journalist career began in the early 1940s when she worked as a copy girl for a local newspaper. She then joined United Press International in 1943 and in 1960 got her infamous gig covering the White House.
She has covered 10 presidents, eventually earning a coveted front-row seat and ending most presidential news conferences with what became her signature line: “Thank you, Mr. President.” Thomas covered everything from the Vietnam war to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and for many aspiring female reporters she embodied the inquisitive, dogged and fearless spirit necessary for any journalist to do her job.
And she did her job while simultaneously destroying the journalism gender barrier. She became the first woman officer for both the National Press Club and White House Correspondents Association. She also became the first female member of the Gridiron Club, and the World Almanac named her one of the 25 most influential women in America.
So yes, it’s understandable that folks are furious at Thomas for her thoughtless, bizarre comments, but hopefully they will not erase her decades of groundbreaking work.
Photo by Marion S. Trikosko via Wikimedia Commons.
