Helen Thomas, a journalist who has worked for more than 60 years, has changed the face of White House coverage and established her own niche in a field dominated by men. Her dogged pursuit of the truth earned her the nickname "First Lady of the Press Room," and her efforts helped make the United States a more well-informed nation as a whole.

Helen Thomas's parents were refugees from Lebanon, and she was born in Winchester, Kentucky. She earned a journalism degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and got her start at the Daily News, a local daily in Washington, D.C., that has since shut down.

Thomas joined United Press in 1943, and he started covering the White House in 1961, during the Kennedy administration. She covered every president from Kennedy through Obama, an unprecedented nine terms.

Thomas was a trailblazer for women journalists because she achieved so much in a field traditionally dominated by men. She also made history as the first female president of the White House Correspondents' Association. She also broke gender barriers by becoming the first female member of the Gridiron Club, a group of prominent Washington journalists.

Thomas's approach and influence Thomas's style and impact: Thomas was well-known for her forthright and difficult questions. She became famous for her front-row news conference seats and her typical "Thank you, Mr. President" closing. She regularly asked the president's first question at press conferences and wasn't afraid to challenge him on contentious issues because of her position.

Thomas' legacy and influence will endure despite the controversy surrounding her. She broke new ground for women journalists. She personified the ideals of a free press and the importance of journalism to a democratic society; she was a true icon.