Helen Thomas

Her career got it's first boost with the help of an unlikely ally Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev. But it was as the unofficial in-house reporter of the Kennedy Presidency that she earned her place in journalism history. Helen Thomas has spent most of her professional life in the seat of power, reporting on the White House and the presidency from her front-row viewpoint. But the legendary journalist had to win many battles to get to where she is today. BIOGRAPHY follows Thomas from her Kentucky childhood to Washington's corridors of power through extensive interviews with Sam Donaldson, Judy Woodruff, George Stephanopoulos, Pierre Salinger and Helen herself. See how she put in 12 years on the United Press rewrite desk before her protest against the National Press Club for not admitting women made her a national figure. Helen recalls how her special relationship with the Kennedy family developed on the campaign trail and paid off when JFK asked her to end his press conferences with Thank you, Mr. President. Seven administrations later, she is still going strong, respected by her colleagues and the men she covers alike. From cutting her teeth in a profession that, literally, did not want women in the club to a privileged position at the top of the heap, this is the story of the first lady of the press.