She has reported on every President since Kennedy.

She was a White House Bureau Chief for 57 years and is known as the "First Lady of the Press."

So, who better than Helen Thomas to serve as the keynote speaker for the Lord Fairfax Women's Luncheon this afternoon?

Thomas knows all about challenges. She was the first female member of the White House Correspondent Association and Gridiron Club. It goes without saying that she believes women can accomplish anything.

"Women have come up in the world, they're not there yet. They ought to keep fighting for equality in the work place. But we've come a long way," said Thomas.

Thomas had an entire room full of women on their feet this afternoon, as she talked about the important role community colleges play.

"I do love community colleges. I think they serve a great purpose for people who really don't have an access to big colleges and big universities," she said.

Much has changed since Thomas began her reporting career and TV3 asked her what she thought about the current news business.

"I think the press defaults when they hold back and it was 9-11 when everyone went silent. Even the press were afraid to ask the tough questions...afraid to be called unpatriotic and un-American, but I think they've come out of their coma...Katrina did that."

We also asked her what journalists can do to better inform the public.

"You [the press] represent the people, you can't get near the powers that be...if you don't ask deep questions...keep the weapon you have, which is skepticism...that doesn't mean nit-pick but ask the questions that people want to know," Thomas said.

One thing is for sure, Helen Thomas hasn't just reported history, she's a part of history.

"Everyday is exciting, everyday is historical and everyday I know something will be happening even when it's very, very quiet you know the other shoe will fall," she said.