On July 20th, the proclaimed pioneer of female journalists, Helen Thomas, died at age 92. During her years working as a journalist, Thomas was the first female member or president of many different elite journalistic organizations in the U.S. Thomas also covered news throughout 11 different presidential terms — from John F. Kennedy to current president Barack Obama.

Throughout her years working as a reporter, Thomas had her share of major news stories that have changed the face of the country — the past five decades have not been quiet on the news front, with events such as Kennedy’s assassination, Nixon’s Watergate scandal, Regan’s assassination attempt and scandal, Clinton and the affair, Bush’s war in Iraq (in which Thomas opposed and made it obvious), to the first African American to be elected into the White House.

Throughout the years, the face of journalism has changed and Thomas kept up. As pointed out, Thomas’s career spanned throughout two different eras in reporting.

The radio and newspapers were the best way to inform the public decades ago. Improvement in technology has led to television and the Internet being the primary source of news gathering. But soon enough, local news channels were surpassed with the 24-hour constant news cycles, such as FOX, CNN and MSNBC.

While Thomas retired on a bad note (see her statement about where the Jews should go), the breakthroughs have overshadowed the negative aspects of her career and life. During press conferences, Thomas would pose some of the hardest questions to the president during the press conferences.

As a student studying print journalism, reading about Thomas’s career has made me think of the paths I’ve taken to get where I am, and the background I have to offer. Will I somehow be as great as the first female to break the barriers between women and journalism? Can my journalism career withstand decades, much like Thomas’s has?

I hope so. Time will tell, but I have to leave my mark where I am now, doing what I do to make sure I’m a better writer, develop the reporting skills I need in order to achieve what I want to do. But I know I have the support I need through the people I’ve met with the same interests and hopes.

Ever wonder how the bars were set for the career you’re going into? Do a little research, see where the bar has been placed so you can possibly reach up and surpass it, if that’s your personal style. Never cheat yourself, but aim as high as you can. After learning more about Thomas’s career and what she has done for women in journalism, I hope to be able to say the same thing she has said to the most important man in the country — “Thank you, Mr. President.”