Sue Ann Baker - Behind the Shades: A Female Secret Service Agents True Story

I have tried to recreate events, locales, and conversations from my memories of them. In order to maintain their anonymity, in some instances I have changed the names of individuals and places, as well as some identifying characteristics.

Copyright 2015 Sue Ann Baker

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Published by WWP Publishing 444 NE Winchester St.

Roseburg, OR 97471 www.sueannbaker.com

ISBN: 978-0-9961595-1-7 (E-Book)

ISBN: 978-0-9961595-0-0 (Softcover)

ISBN: 978-0-9961595-2-4 (Hardcover)

Cover design by Heidi Gress

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition 2015

Dedication

To my brother, Jim, whose infinite patience taught my stubby childs fingers to properly type on our vintage Underwood typewriter, and later to waltz on his shoes. To my parents, who unknowingly nurtured their alpha daughter and gave me enough confidence to grab unexpected opportunities. To my nieces, nephews, family, and friends, who always wanted to hear my stories and urged me to leave this legacy.

I love you all.

Table of Contents

He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he failed.

William James

Foreword

The United States Secret Service, established on July 5, 1865, had been, from its inception, a male-only law-enforcement agency. It wasnt until 1970 that, slowly, that began to change. It became apparent that having females in the Secret Service was necessary to carry out the agency mission. The question was: how do we go about obtaining quality personnel, and then how do we best use them?

At the time, I was Deputy Assistant Director of Protective Forces and was involved in the decision-making process. I personally knew how valuable these female employees could be in protective assignments. I had been responsible for the protection and safety of Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy from November 1960 to November 1964, and during that time wished many times that a female Secret Service agent had been there with me. It would have eliminated many embarrassing situations and added immensely to the protective effort being provided.

We decided to seek out candidates that were highly motivated and had skills that could transfer into the organizational needs. We began with seven female recruits and placed them in the Uniformed Division called the Executive Protective Service (EPS). The women were not uniformed, and initially, the training they received was mostly on the job.

Sue Ann Baker was one of these seven women selected for the first-ever, female enforcement positions within the US Secret Service. Although each of these seven young women initially carried the title Officer, EPS, on December 15, 1971, five of the seven were sworn in as Agents, United States Secret Service. It was a proud day for these women, and an historic day for the organization. We were finally catching up to the needs and reality of the times.

Although I was a member of the headquarters staff when the decision was made to admit females into the agent corps of the US Secret Service, I must admit that I didnt fully realize the challenges these women faced.

Behind the Shades tells the story of the life of a female agent entering the male-dominated world of the Secret Service. It is a story of personal sacrifice, adventure, acceptance and rejection, tenacity, endurance, and hard work during trying times. Sue Ann Baker was on the front lines of history and observed it being made on a larger scale. She is one of the pioneers who paved the way for the many capable female agents that followed in her footsteps, and I am proud to say I served with her.

Clinton J. Hill

Assistant Director, Protective Forces (Retired) United States Secret Service

Acknowledgements

People told me for years that I should write a book about my life, and particularly about my life in the US Secret Service. The years have had a way of flying by, however, and the overwhelming task of writing a book was always put on the back burner. When I retired in 2014, after twenty-one years as a financial planner, I had no excuses, only my fear to overcome.

I want to thank Lisa McCubbin and Clint Hill for their support and encouragement early on when I hit the key and sent them an email that their book, Mrs. Kennedy and Me, inspired me to record my part in history. With that email, I felt I was committed. Next I informed my family and friends, who obviously were excited about the prospect of reading the finished product. As I experienced the emotional ups and downs of writing, they were always there with a sympathetic ear, a two-mile walk, or a glass of wine. I apologize for any lengthy whining I may have bored them with.

A heartfelt thanks goes to Michael Sampson, archivist for the US Secret Service. He was a wealth of knowledge, incredibly helpful in finding background information, and a joy to work with. Reminiscing with Jerry Parr, Glen Winn, Denise Ferrenz, Phyllis Shantz, Holly (Hufschmidt) Van Fleet, Jeanne Doyle, and Maurice Butler helped bring back memories Id forgotten. Other memories were revived when Agent Hazel Cerra found all of the first five and brought us back together again in 2007 at Secret Service Headquarters for Womens History Month. She was amazed we were all still alive! It was then that I realized we were old enough to be history. New acquaintances I made among female agents in todays Secret Service, and also during a Women in Federal Law Enforcement conference, gave me a perspective on how far women have come, but also how far they have to go to truly enjoy respect and equality. I thank all of them for their time and their tales. For the photo collection, thanks goes to the NY Daily News, the Associated Press, the Nixon Library, the Secret Service, and to my mother for keeping my personal photos.

For their professionalism, knowledge, hand-holding, and advice, I want to thank my editor, Lindsey Alexander, for making my first attempt at writing better than I could have imagined; Deana Riddle, my book interior designer for pulling everything together and making it look professional; Mary Giuseffi, my image consultant for making me look better; Heidi Gress, my book cover designer and photographer, who knows how to use a soft lens; and Steve Harrison of Bradley Communications for his ongoing encouragement and access to his wonderful staff of publicity and marketing consultants. It seems it does take a village to raise an author.

Part I:

Executive Protective Service: Washington, DC

Part II:

Special Agents

Part III:

The 1972

Presidential Campaign

Part IV:

Los Angeles

Chapter 1:

July 1971 The Princess is Lost Am I to Blame?

As I drove into Camp Oneka, a picturesque retreat in Pennsylvanias Poconos Mountains, the smell of freshly mown grass and morning air did little to calm my nerves. My excitement had turned to apprehension about five miles out. Now, as I parked beneath an ancient maple tree near the camp office, fear of failure loomed in my mind. What if my limited training wasnt enough? What if I wasnt enough?

Summoning what self-confidence I could, I took a deep breath and stepped out of my little yellow Volkswagen bug and into my first assignment. I can do this, I thought. I can do this.