Women in the C I a - The First Day

It was a poignant day because of the date. I always worried about being the widow that they had to hire. But i felt i qualified for for being an equal, and they treated me that way. And you know, funnyi, i didn't really tell them all the details of my husband's death. And all i wanted to be me, and i want to be worth, you know, the same as everyone else.

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Episode notes

Marti Peterson was the first female CIA operative to be assigned to Moscow, probably the most challenging posting during the Cold War. Her story begins in Laos during the Vietnam War where she accompanied her husband John, a CIA officer. She describes their life in a small city in Laos, and the devastating news she received on October 19, 1972.

Marti returned to the United States and one night at dinner a good friend suggested she look into working for the CIA.

After making it clear to CIA recruiters that she didn’t want to be a secretary or an admin assistant they trained her to become an operative, effectively a spy. When Marti was posted to Moscow during the day, she worked as a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy. At night, on weekends and during her lunch breaks, she would report to the CIA station in the same building to do her work as an operative.

UK listeners buy Marti's the book here and support the podcast

US listeners buy Marti's the book here and support the podcast

0:00 Introduction and Marti Peterson's background

1:14 Marti Peterson's life in Moscow as a CIA operative

2:50 Marti's early life and college years

6:20 Marti's experience as a CIA wife and life in Laos

14:22 The path to becoming a CIA operative

36:50 Training and preparation for Moscow

40:10 Arrival and adaptation to life in Moscow

49:54 Social life and intelligence work in Moscow

53:31 Teaser for the next episode about Trigon

54:52 Store promotion and closing remarks

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I am delighted to welcome Marti Peterson to our Cold War conversation…

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