Helen Thomas

Women's History Month at Emory - March 2004
Women Exploring Truths through Expression

In March every year, the Center for Women sponsors a wide-ranging celebration of Women's History Month, attracting nationally recognized keynote speakers such as the Boston Women's Health Collective, Michael Kimmel, Naomi Wolf, Rebecca Walker, Faye Wattleton, Lani Guinier, Wilma Mankiller, Natalie Angier, Carol Moseley Braun, and Rachel Simmons.

Women's History Month events at Emory open a window onto women's cultural, intellectual and social lives. The full month's calendar follows below.

Keynote Speaker: Commonly referred to as “The First Lady of the Press,” former White House Bureau Chief Helen Thomas is a trailblazer, breaking through barriers for women reporters while covering every President since John F. Kennedy. For 57 years, Helen also served as White House correspondent for United Press International. She recently left this post and joined Hearst Newspapers as a syndicated columnist.

Born in Winchester, Kentucky, Helen was raised in Detroit, Michigan where she attended public schools and later graduated from Wayne State University. Upon leaving college, she served as a copy girl on the old, now defunct Washington Daily News. In 1943, Ms. Thomas joined United Press International and the Washington Press Corps.
For 12 years, Helen wrote radio news for UPI, her work day beginning at 5:30am. Eventually she covered the news of the Federal government, including the FBI and Capitol Hill.

In November, 1960, Helen began covering then President-elect John F. Kennedy, following him to the White House in January, 1961 as a member of the UPI team. It was during this first White House assignment that Helen began closing presidential press conferences with “Thank you, Mr. President.”

In September, 1971, Pat Nixon scooped Helen by announcing her engagement to Associated Press’ retiring White House correspondent, Douglas B. Cornell at a White house party hosted by then President Nixon in honor of Cornell.

Helen was the only woman print journalist traveling with then President Nixon to China during his breakthrough trip in January, 1972. She has the distinction of having traveled around the world several times with Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, and Bush, Jr., during the course of which she covered every Economic Summit. The World Almanac has cited her as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in America.

Helen Thomas has written three books, including her latest, Thanks for the Memories Mr. President: Wit and Wisdom from the Front Row at the White House.

March 2
"She Wins, You Win," a lecture, book signing, and reception with author Gail Evans, CNN’s first female vice president – 5:00 p.m., Joseph W. Jones Room, Woodruff Library. Sponsored by Emory Women’s Center, Goizueta Business School, Department of Women’s Studies, and President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

March 3
Open mic night in celebration of International Women's Day – 4 to 6 p.m., Coca Cola Commons, DUC. Sponsored by the International Student and Scholar Programs, the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services, and Emory Women’s Center.

March 12
Special opening for educators for “Spirited Vessels: Creation and Ritual in African Ceramics” -- 5-7p.m., Michael C. Carlos Museum reception hall and galleries. Sponsored by the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

March 16
Lunchtime lecture: "The Biography of a Pot: A Mangbetu Vessel and her Contexts" -- noon, Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall. Sponsored by the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

President’s Commission on the Status of Women at Emory Spring Event featuring professor Regina Werum – 4 p.m., Governor’s Hall, Miller-Ward Alumni House. Sponsored by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women at Emory.

Female Film Director Series presents The Apple (NOTE: NEW DATE)- 7pm, Emory Women's Center. Sponsored by the Student Advocacy Committee of Emory Women's Center.

Closing reception for “What I Know for Sure: Women Exploring Truths,” an exhibit of photographs from Women in Focus – 5 p.m., The Art Gallery at Dobbs University Center. Sponsored by the L.E.A.D. Team and Emory Women’s Center.

March 18
Lecture: "Women in Clay: Sacred Ceramics from Northeastern Nigeria" -- 7 p.m., Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall. Sponsored by the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

Annual Pride Banquet featuring playwright Margaret Edson, with reception, dinner, and talk beginning at 6:30 p.m. – Governor’s Hall, Miller-Ward Alumni House. Tickets available at DUC Information Desk. Sponsored by the President's Commision on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Life.

March 22
Candler Women’s Week begins (March 22-25) – “A Communion of Women.” For more information email kringla@learnlink.emory.edu.

Reception and lecture with playwright Paula Vogel - 6:30 p.m., Joseph W. Jones Room, Woodruff Library. Sponsored by Creative Writing Program, Emory Women’s Center, and Department of Women’s Studies.

March 23
Worship with guest preacher and celebrant Rev. Brenda Iglehart '89T – 11 a.m., Cannon Chapel. Sponsored by Candler Women.

Colloquium with playwright Paula Vogel - 2:30 p.m., Joseph W. Jones Room, Woodruff Library. Sponsored by Creative Writing Program, Emory Women’s Center, and Department of Women’s Studies.

Reading of Paula Vogel’s play, The Baltimore Waltz – 7:30 p.m., Mary Gray Munroe Theater, Dobbs University Center. Sponsored by Theater Emory, Theater Studies, Emory Women's Center and Creative Writing Program.

March 24
Healthy Women 2000: "Exercise for the Mind, Body, and Spirit" with Sandy Bramlett, MEd. Noon, Emory Women's Center Conference Room. Sponsored by Emory Women's Center.

March 25
"Women's Truths – A Dance Presentation,” a collection of original works – noon, dance studio at Schwartz Center for the Performing Art. Sponsored by the Emory Dance Program.

The Emory College opening reception for "Boundless," an exhibit tracing the history of the Emory Dance Program - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Schatten Gallery, Robert W. Woodruff Library. Sponsored by the Emory Dance Program.

African beer tasting, featuring beer and vessels made by African women -- 7 p.m., Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall. Sponsored by the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

March 26
Seventh Annual National Black Herstory Conference––12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., 208 White Hall. Emory students, faculty, and staff are admitted to conference sessions free with ID. For more information, contact Mozella Galloway, 404.712.9674. Sponsored by National Black Herstory Task Force, Emory Women’s Center and Department of Women’s Studies.

National Black Herstory Awards Banquet – 7:00 p.m., Cox Hall Ballroom. Annual awards presentation with musical guest. Dinner ticket $35; limited seating. Contact Mozella Galloway, 404.712.9674. Sponsored by National Black Herstory Task Force, Emory Women’s Center, and Department of Women’s Studies.

March 27
Seventh Annual National Black Herstory Conference – 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 208 White Hall.

March 28
University Worship, Women’s History Month Sunday Celebration - 11:00 a.m., Cannon Chapel. Sponsored by Emory Office of the Dean of the Chapel and Religious Life and Emory Women’s Center.

March 30
AN EVENING WITH HELEN THOMAS: Keynote address by the “first lady of the White House press corps” – 7:30 p.m., Tull Auditorium of Gambrell Hall. Book signing and reception to follow. Sponsored by Emory Women’s Center, Department of Women’s Studies Jessica Glasser Memorial Lecture, Hightower Lecture Fund, Emory Law School, Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, President’s Commission on the Status of Women, and Journalism Program.

Month – long
Michael C. Carlos Museum Exhibit--"Spirited Vessels: Ritual and Creation in African Ceramics," celebrating women in African art and society. Michael C. Carlos Museum galleries, February 7-April 18, 2004. Sponsored by the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

Emory Women’s Center Exhibit - “A Chronicle of Significant Events in the Lives of Women at Emory University,” featuring vintage photos from the Woodruff Library’s Special Collections. Permanently displayed at Emory Women’s Center. Sponsored by Woodruff Library Special Collections and Emory Women’s Center.

Campus Life Gallery Exhibit – “What I Know for Sure: Women Exploring Truths” a juried group show of photographs by Women In Focus. The Art Gallery at Dobbs University Center. February 27 – March 19, 2004. Sponsored by the L.E.A.D. Team and Emory Women’s Center.