One of the First Female Spies
Over 60 guests attended to Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning’s program; A Personal Story of My Aunt, Elizabeth Sudmeier: One of the First Female Spies in the CIA presented by Ginny Benson.
She was the first woman to ever receive the CIA medal of Merit in 1962, for getting the Russian Mig manual. First woman spy to ever recruit her own local ring of spies reporting to her. First woman to ever be accepted in the JOT program (Junior Officers Training Program, which got you ready to be a spy.). In 2013 she was selected as one of the CIA Trailblazers.
Elizabeth was a beautiful, well dressed, and well spoken. Ginny shared that during Elizabeth’s first field assignment she was part in a counter-intelligence operation. It was a nine-year operation in the Middle East where she coordinated an agent to assess Soviet military hardware.
In early 1954, Elizabeth was loitering outside a cafe in Baghdad. She took great care not to draw attention to herself. (Ginny shared her aunt had a darker complexion allowing her to fit in). After a few minutes of waiting, the man she had spent months persuading to meet her, arrived. He handed her an envelope and moved on. Sudmeier had just stolen Soviet secrets … the blueprints for the MiG1-19 jet fighter, the very one just gifted by Moscow to the Iraqis to gain favor in the region. This is one a several stories Ginny shared, however for the longest time Elizabeth couldn’t say anything about what she did on her job.
Elizabeth rubbed elbows with some of the highest ranking officials and individuals throughout her career. Former CIA Director John Brennan said “she may have been the best spy the CIA has ever had.”
Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning will end the Spring 2026 season on May 20 with speaker Dave Jones; Mount Rushmore-The Carving of an Icon. This will be Mr. Jones last presentation as he has retired. NELL has had him come speak nearly every year. His historic presentations are so well done and very intriguing. His last presentation for NELL will be at the Bagley American Legion @ 9:30.