Emily Wax-Thibodeaux

Washington, D.C.

National reporter covering breaking news and social movements.

Education: Rutgers University, BA in political science; Columbia University, master's in journalism

Emily Wax-Thibodeaux is a National staff writer who covers issues ranging from abortion to pregnancy in the workplace to the #metoo movement. She has reported from over 30 countries across Africa and South Asia, including coverage of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan and the efforts to launch "Sesame Street" in Afghanistan. She served as India bureau chief from 2007 to 2011 and won multiple awards for her coverage of the three-day Mumbai attacks and the civil war in Sri Lanka. She was the Africa bureau chief from 2002 to 2006 and won the Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism f
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Emily Wax-Thibodeaux

What female veterans think of Pete Hegseth’s views about combat roles

Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary says women shouldn’t serve in combat. These vets say his attitude is outdated, uninformed and inaccurate.

November 30, 2024
From left, military veterans Jaclyn “Jax” Scott, Jasmine Walker Motupalli and Riane Donoho. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post; Defense Department; Parker Michels-Boyce for The Washington Post)

The first transgender member of Congress, a bathroom ban and much angst

The Republican-backed ban was distressing enough for many transgender people. Then came Rep.-elect Sarah McBride’s acquiescence to the new rule.

November 22, 2024
Rep.-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware stands on the Capitol steps after an orientation session for new members of Congress.

With a meteoric rise, transgender lawmaker to make history in Congress

Delaware state legislator Sarah McBride won her momentous bid for the U.S. House this week, declaring, “Our democracy is big enough for all of us.”

November 7, 2024
Sarah McBride arrives to vote Tuesday at a church in Wilmington, Delaware.

In Rehoboth Beach, political vitriol amid the affection for ‘Joe’

The place where the president is expected to spend much of his time after he leaves office in January has not escaped the rancor fracturing the country.

October 27, 2024
President Joe Biden waves to supporters as he rides his bike through Gordons Pond State Park in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in August.

Rescue and recovery extend deeper into areas ravaged by Helene

At least 154 have died as a result of Helene, but officials say the death toll will remain fluid, with many only saying they expect numbers to rise.

October 2, 2024
A citizen rescue team looks for a way to move supplies across the Broad River near Bat Cave, N.C., on Tuesday.

Desperate to find Grandma, a family hit the road with bikes and chain saws

After Helene tore through North Carolina, Beth Holmes couldn’t get in touch with her grandmother. So she and her family set off on an expedition to find her.

October 2, 2024
Floodwaters rush over a bridge on the Watauga River as Hurricane Helene approaches Sugar Grove, N.C., on Sept. 26.

As death toll mounts, Helene rescue efforts underway across Southeast

Roads remain inaccessible and communication systems battered. As rescue efforts grow, many residents are desperate for water, food and medical supplies.

October 1, 2024
Porter Edwards, 10, helps his father clean up debris Monday at Mad Co. Brew House in Marshall, N.C., in the aftermath of Helene.

Helene death toll tops 100 across six states, as N.C. towns await more help

It has been four days since Helene made landfall. At least 111 deaths have been confirmed, search-and-rescue efforts continue, and people are still waiting for water.

September 30, 2024
Workers, community members, and business owners clean up debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Marshall, North Carolina on Monday.

They were drawn to ‘Old Florida.’ Now they live in the new hurricane alley.

Residents drawn to life on the water in Florida’s Big Bend are confronting the reality of being square in the middle of the state’s new hurricane alley.

September 27, 2024
Bobbi Pattison reacts to seeing the damage inside her home in Steinhatchee, Fla., from Hurricane Helene on Friday.

Despite Ian’s lessons, not everyone in Florida is heeding orders to evacuate early

Emergency officials in Florida have ordered hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Helene. Many are filling highways, but some are refusing to leave.

September 26, 2024
A sign in Cedar Key, Fla., tells people to evacuate Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Helene's arrival.