Thread by @CIA

There are relatively few American’s who died after turning 100 buried @ArlingtonNatl, even fewer who are female, & only a mere fraction of those who served as intel officers

Captain Stephanie Czech Rader was a woman ahead of her time

bit.ly/2NZbpyI

#WomensHistoryMonth

“[The #OSS] gave me a gun, but I never carried a gun. I thought, ‘What the heck was I gonna do with a dumb gun?'” Stephanie’s most valuable weapon: her wits.

It wasn’t until decades later that the details of her amazing story were declassified.

#WomensHistoryMonth

Stephanie, the daughter of Polish immigrants, grew up immersed in Polish language & culture in an immigrant neighborhood in Poughkeepsie.

She was the 1st person in her family to graduate college, & she eventually earned a master’s degree – in chemistry.

#WomensHistoryMonth

Stephanie caught the attention of #OSS. They assigned her to Warsaw: one of only two OSS representatives there.

It was an extremely dangerous time to operate in Poland. Pro-Soviet factions carefully monitored all foreigners.

#WomensHistoryMonth
#WWII

Stephanie posed as an embassy clerk who spent spare time traveling in Poland to reconnect w/distant family members.

During her “searches for family,” she collected intel on:
- Economic & political data
- Russian troop movement
- Security services activities

#WomensHistoryMonth

Stephanie was nominated by superiors for the Legion of Merit & a Bronze Star. Neither were awarded.

However, at her funeral in 2016, @USArmy posthumously awarded her the Legion of Merit

Read Stephanie’s full story here: bit.ly/2tp97BE

#WomensHistoryMonth
#WomenInIntel