In November 1960, Thomas began covering then President-elect John F. Kennedy, following him to the White House in January 1961 as a UPI correspondent. Through her career as a correspondent, Thomas earned a reputation for being relentless and demanding. She traveled around the world several times with all US Presidents since Richard Nixon, and covered every Economic Summit since 1975, working up to the position of UPI's White House Bureau Chief, a post she would hold for over 25 years. Thomas was also the only member of the White House Press Corps to have her own seat in the White House Briefing Room. All other seats are assigned to media outlets. __