Lynn Espinoza is a broadcast news veteran with more than a decade of media, presentation and executive coaching experience. She has developed personal coaching sessions for Fortune 100 C-level executives, corporate communicators of all kinds, doctors, lawyers and leaders in non-profit.
A Life Lesson from Helen Thomas
Posted on April 9, 2009. Filed under: Latest News
I just returned from the Murrow Symposium. It’s the signature event for the prestigious Edward R. Murrow College of Communications at Washington State University. This year, both White House reporting legend Helen Thomas and CBS’s Bob Schieffer were at the symposium to receive the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award. It was an amazing couple of days, with professional communicators and journalists from all over the country on hand to coach and cajole WSU’s communications students.
I have many thoughts to share regarding the incoming crop of new talent, and I’ll do that in the coming days. But on my mind now is a most amazing encounter with the legendary Helen Thomas.
I 
was having breakfast in the hotel lobby with a fellow WSU alum, and there was a tap on my shoulder:
“Would you two mind if Helen Thomas sits here with you for breakfast? There are no other tables.”
Just like that; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that was completely unexpected.
My friend and I, of course, started by thanking Helen for her contribution to the advancement of women in the field of journalism. She quickly reminded us that it was the Suffragettes, not she, who did the heavy lifting. We talked about presidents and politics. We asked her how she has remained so dogged when, clearly, each president has worked to “soften her up” in White House press conferences. She didn’t bat an eye. “They work for ME… and they’d better never forget it! I have great respect for the office of President, but they are really just public servants. ALL of ‘em”
She delivers an incredible history lesson, but her life-lesson is even better. Helen Thomas is in her 90’s. Her body is challenged to keep up with her exuberance and her mind. But as she talks with equal ease about history and current events, the pure joy of living streams like a laser from her eyes. Her ratted hair, crooked blush and misplaced lipstick disappear behind an aura of energy and delight. She is beautiful as she generously shares her experience, and offers advice for future journalists. She laughs at loud at the foibles of American politics; she laughs out loud at herself. She just spends a lot of time laughing out loud.
Helen Thomas reminds us to find that thing; that career; that path that brings pure joy. And then share it generously.
2 Responses to “A Life Lesson from Helen Thomas”
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Fun account of a random, drive-by encounter with a legend. The evening was fun, the insight very interesting and the experience for the students - and everyone - was meaningful and memorable. Thanks for contributing time to the Murrow Board and sharing the unique experiences WSU has to offer via the Murrow College of Communcations. See you next year.
Fun account of a random, drive-by encounter with a legend. The evening was fun, the insight very interesting and the experience for the students - and everyone - was meaningful and memorable. Thanks for contributing time to the Murrow Board and sharing the unique experiences WSU has to offer via the Murrow College of Communications. See you next year.