My Life With Helen
The Dean of the White House Press Corps Through Her Agent's Eyes by Diane S. Nine President, Nine Speakers, Inc. There's no denying that Helen Thomas was a larger-than-life personality, but more importantly, she was a trailblazer for women in journalism. Professionally, she reported on more presidential administrations than anyone in history, and she rightfully earned her place--front row, center--as the Dean of the White House Press Corps. However, later in her life, Helen made some regrettable comments that subsequently ended her illustrious career and tarnished her reputation. From her rise to the top of the political journalism ladder to her unceremonious downfall, there was one constant and that was Diane Nine. She was by Helen's side through thick and thin as her literary agent and her close friend for more than 30 years. In My Life With Helen, readers learn for the first time what was going on behind the scenes after Helen's fall from grace and how Diane struggled to come to terms with the media frenzy that followed. Maybe things do happen for a reason. That's for the reader to decide. There's no denying that Helen was a force to be reckoned with, but more importantly, she was human, flaws and all. |
Press:
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW by Helen Dumont
Critique: Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "My Life With Helen: The Dean of the White House Press Corps Through Her Agent's Eyes" is an extraordinary biography that will have a very special appeal to both journalism professionals and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. While unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Contemporary Biography and American Journalism collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "My Life With Helen" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99). |
Interview: Diane S. Nine on Her Life with Helen Thomas
Thousands of American girls have grown up wanting to be journalists because of Helen Amelia Thomas, a legendary dean of the White House press corps. The long-time Washington, D.C. bureau chief for United Press International, and a Detroiter, was a tough questioner—grilling presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. “I don’t think a tough question is disrespectful,” said Thomas, whose quotes generate 14.8 million search results on the Internet. Suffice it to say that when Cuban leader Fidel Castro was asked in the early 2000s what was the difference between democracy in Cuba and democracy in the United States, Castro reportedly replied, "I don't have to answer questions from Helen Thomas."
Thomas, an Arab American who attended Detroit’s Eastern High School and Wayne State University, racked up a slew of firsts as a female journalist. She was the first female officer of the National Press Club; the first woman officer, and later president, of the White House Correspondents Association; and in 1976, she was named one of the World Almanac's 25 Most Influential Women in America. She was also a member of the Association for Women in Communications and recipient of our Headliner award.
A new book My Life with Helen, due out in March, by Diane S. Nine, Thomas’ long-time press agent, recounts Thomas’ long career and forced retirement in 2010 over her controversial comments about Jews and Israel, as well as statements that “Congress, the White House, Hollywood, and Wall Street are owned by Zionists.’’
AWC Detroit Professional Chapter member Patricia Anstett recently interviewed Nine about her book. The following is an excerpt from the conversation.
Anstett: Describe how Thomas mentored you, beyond generously letting you stay in her home during the early years of your career in Washington, D.C.
Nine: Helen was like a second mother to me and reinforced the lessons my parents taught me: Be kind to everyone, even those without good intentions. Believe in yourself, and never give up. If a door is closed, just knock on it, and walk through. Helen also taught me the importance of paying attention to our elected officials. She always said that while some may fall short of expectations, most have good intentions. And, finally, Helen taught me the value of the media as the fourth branch of government.
Anstett: As a communications professional, what skills and values did Helen teach you?
Nine: I truly learned the value of asking questions, and double and triple-checking the answers. Helen used to say that even if her own mother told her something, she would check it with two other sources.
Anstett: Helen was a journalist at a time when reporters were schooled to be neutral and not express their opinions. What changed, in the profession or in her, that made her speak out, particularly on issues about the Middle East?
Nine: I think journalism changed as Helen grew older. Opinions began replacing facts, and Helen succumbed to these changes when she spoke. However, until Helen wrote an opinion column toward the end of her career, she always tried to keep her opinions out of her copy. She used to say, “Just the facts. They speak for themselves.”
Anstett: How do you hope history remembers her?
Nine: I hope history remembers Helen as a great, trailblazing journalist. She used to say that she wanted one word on her tombstone: WHY?
About Diane and Patricia
Nine Speakers, Inc's President, Diane S. Nine, is a native Michigander. She first came to Washington, DC to intern in Jimmy Carter's White House administration and fell in love with the city. She went on to work for Senator Carl Levin, former Senator Don Riegle, CNN, UPI, and the Mondale/Ferraro presidential campaign. She also had a stint in the British House of Commons working for Tom McNally, a Member of Parliament. A graduate of Cranbrook Schools, Denison University, and George Washington University's Law School, Diane has held numerous positions in politics and the media. It is this background that prompted Diane to found Nine Speakers, providing clients with individualized attention, necessary discretion, and tightly drafted contractual representation.
Patricia Anstett has more than 40 years of print media experience as a reporter and editor in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Detroit—including 22 years as a medical writer. Anstett was inducted into Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2017 and honored in 2019 by Michigan State University as outstanding alumni from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Thomas, an Arab American who attended Detroit’s Eastern High School and Wayne State University, racked up a slew of firsts as a female journalist. She was the first female officer of the National Press Club; the first woman officer, and later president, of the White House Correspondents Association; and in 1976, she was named one of the World Almanac's 25 Most Influential Women in America. She was also a member of the Association for Women in Communications and recipient of our Headliner award.
A new book My Life with Helen, due out in March, by Diane S. Nine, Thomas’ long-time press agent, recounts Thomas’ long career and forced retirement in 2010 over her controversial comments about Jews and Israel, as well as statements that “Congress, the White House, Hollywood, and Wall Street are owned by Zionists.’’
AWC Detroit Professional Chapter member Patricia Anstett recently interviewed Nine about her book. The following is an excerpt from the conversation.
Anstett: Describe how Thomas mentored you, beyond generously letting you stay in her home during the early years of your career in Washington, D.C.
Nine: Helen was like a second mother to me and reinforced the lessons my parents taught me: Be kind to everyone, even those without good intentions. Believe in yourself, and never give up. If a door is closed, just knock on it, and walk through. Helen also taught me the importance of paying attention to our elected officials. She always said that while some may fall short of expectations, most have good intentions. And, finally, Helen taught me the value of the media as the fourth branch of government.
Anstett: As a communications professional, what skills and values did Helen teach you?
Nine: I truly learned the value of asking questions, and double and triple-checking the answers. Helen used to say that even if her own mother told her something, she would check it with two other sources.
Anstett: Helen was a journalist at a time when reporters were schooled to be neutral and not express their opinions. What changed, in the profession or in her, that made her speak out, particularly on issues about the Middle East?
Nine: I think journalism changed as Helen grew older. Opinions began replacing facts, and Helen succumbed to these changes when she spoke. However, until Helen wrote an opinion column toward the end of her career, she always tried to keep her opinions out of her copy. She used to say, “Just the facts. They speak for themselves.”
Anstett: How do you hope history remembers her?
Nine: I hope history remembers Helen as a great, trailblazing journalist. She used to say that she wanted one word on her tombstone: WHY?
About Diane and Patricia
Nine Speakers, Inc's President, Diane S. Nine, is a native Michigander. She first came to Washington, DC to intern in Jimmy Carter's White House administration and fell in love with the city. She went on to work for Senator Carl Levin, former Senator Don Riegle, CNN, UPI, and the Mondale/Ferraro presidential campaign. She also had a stint in the British House of Commons working for Tom McNally, a Member of Parliament. A graduate of Cranbrook Schools, Denison University, and George Washington University's Law School, Diane has held numerous positions in politics and the media. It is this background that prompted Diane to found Nine Speakers, providing clients with individualized attention, necessary discretion, and tightly drafted contractual representation.
Patricia Anstett has more than 40 years of print media experience as a reporter and editor in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Detroit—including 22 years as a medical writer. Anstett was inducted into Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2017 and honored in 2019 by Michigan State University as outstanding alumni from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Association for Women in Communications; Communique, February, 2020