Reflections on Women in the CIA
Christina Hillsberg joined the CIA at just 21 years old in 2006 and dedicated more than a decade to the agency. Her role involved traveling around the world, infiltrating CIA stations, meeting confidential sources in cafes and hotel rooms, and connecting with “assets” who provided crucial information to the US government.
The work was often thrilling, sometimes dangerous—and yes, a bit terrifying at times. She was fortunate to have a number of female mentors and superiors who guided her, though that wasn’t always the norm.
In her upcoming book, “Agents of Change: Women Who Transformed the CIA,” Hillsberg candidly recounts the long-standing sexism and disrespect faced by women in the agency. Historical accounts show they frequently encountered rejection, harassment, and the burden of being underestimated.
Hillsberg notes a particularly harrowing experience shared by one woman who began as a secretary in the ’90s and eventually became an operative. She recalled a senior male colleague grabbing her inappropriately and then being discouraged by HR from reporting the incident. A woman in HR told her, perhaps awkwardly, “Oh, he’s very close to retirement; you don’t want to be that girl.”
Despite the humiliation and challenges, these women persevered, often going on to do significant work for their country. “Throughout my career, I was surrounded by brilliant women, and I wanted to know their stories,” Hillsberg reflects.
Long before the CIA existed, women were already acting as spies. For instance, Mata Hari was known for her ability to charm diplomats during World War I, while Virginia Hall, considered “the most dangerous of all Allied spies,” recruited resistance fighters and subverted enemy operations in occupied territories.
Interestingly, when the CIA was founded in 1947, Hall was among the first recruits, but she was relegated to traditional secretarial duties for fifteen years, despite her remarkable background.
It wasn’t until 1953 that a report, initiated by then-CIA director Allen Dulles, addressed the stark pay and status disparities between male and female employees. The findings were shocking: women earned approximately half of what their male counterparts made, and very few held leadership positions.
Even with these revelations, real policy changes took ages to materialize, compounded by longstanding institutional biases. Hillsberg’s book features interviews with several female operatives, shedding light on their experiences.
One notable interviewee is Lucy Kirk, who entered the agency in 1967. In her training class, she was among only nine women; while the men socialized over beer, she focused diligently on her studies. When Kirk was later assigned to China, her career suffered setbacks after marrying another CIA agent, leading to an expectation that she would accompany him rather than pursue her own missions.
Outside of her experiences, Hillsberg illustrates the broader struggles of women in the CIA. For example, Martha “Martie” Peterson inadvertently became an operative after her husband’s death in Laos. She later shared her story through her memoir, detailing her transformation into an effective agent after unexpected circumstances thrust her into the role.
Many other women faced life-threatening situations. Hillsberg recounts a Korean-American operative who risked her life to apprehend a terrorist. Another, a Lebanese-American, had to navigate dangerous terrain in the Middle East after escaping grave threats.
Hillsberg emphasizes the importance of diversity within the CIA. She notes that while progress has been slow, the agency is beginning to acknowledge these realities. Recent legislative changes, such as the Intelligence Report Recognition Act of 2023, are steps toward better addressing issues of sexual harassment and ensuring safe reporting channels.
“Women, especially case officers, have traditionally worked in a male-dominated environment, but change is on the horizon,” she concludes.
