Another First: Woman to Head Major U.S. Intelligence Agency

By Claudine Zap


Sure, a woman was a major U.S. presidential contender this last time around. And three different women have headed up the State Department. But the 16 intelligence agencies have been woman-free. Until now.

Letitia A. Long starts her first day as the head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency . Not only that, but the tech-focused department makes her kind of "head geek" of national intelligence.

This is no small thing. According to the story on Yahoo! News, women in data intelligence gathering are accustomed to getting second-class treatment from the male-dominated industry -- even though women make up 38% of the intelligence workforce, and 27% of senior positions. Now add one more -- head of an agency.

Long was recently second in command at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Defense Secretary Gates called her the right person for the job. That's one small step for Long, and a giant leap for woman-kind.