ADC Mourns The Loss of Helen Thomas
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) joins all Americans in mourning the loss of Helen Thomas, our beloved Arab American hero, preeminent journalist, and advocate. Helen passed away today at the age of 92. ADC extends its sympathy to the family of Helen Thomas on behalf of our members and supporters.
ADC National President Warren David said today: “It is with great sadness that we received the news of Helen’s passing. Helen was a great friend of ADC and our community at large. She was not only a hero for the Arab American community, she was also a legendary figure for women, journalists, and all Americans. ADC is very proud that we had the privilege of highlighting her contributions and achievements throughout her career.”
Helen was the first female journalist who broke all barriers for women. She was the first woman to interview a President, and indeed interviewed all Presidents from President Kennedy to President Obama. She was the first woman to be President of the White House Correspondents Association. Helen exposed the Watergate scandal when Martha Mitchell, wife of the Attorney General called her and gave her inside information. She covered Presidents not only at news conferences, but traveled with them throughout the United States and the world. President Nixon chose her as the only print journalist to accompany him on his historic trip to China.
In 2010, ADC honored Helen for her service to our country as a trailblazing journalist who covered the White House for over sixty years. The event celebrating her work can be seen here. Helen was a recipient of many ADC Awards, and she also spoke multiple times at our National Conventions where her speech inspired attendees of all generations.
Helen was born in Kentucky, the seventh of the ten children of George and Mary Thomas, immigrants from Lebanon. Her father’s surname, “Antonious,” was anglicized to “Thomas” when he entered the U.S. at Ellis Island. Helen was raised mainly in Detroit, Michigan, where her family moved when she was four years old, and where her father ran a grocery store. She attended public schools and decided to become a journalist while she was in high school. She enrolled at Wayne State University, in Detroit, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English in 1942.
Known as the “Dean” of the White House Press Corps, Helen covered the White House news for 49 years and reported on every U.S. president from John Kennedy to Barack Obama. She was known for her straight-to-the-point questioning of presidents and press secretaries. ADC is indebted to her for her integrity as she rightfully questioned public officials over the years — especially regarding issues of utmost importance to Arab Americans.
Helen Thomas will always be remembered as a patriot who stood up for what was right. We shall never forget Helen, her contributions to America, and for her legacy which will continue to inspire many for generations to come.