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Ann Caracristi, Who Cracked Codes, and the Glass Ceiling At NSA, Dies At 94 (washingtonpost.com)

Posted by samzenpus on from the rest-in-peace dept.

An anonymous reader writes with this story at The Washington Post about the life and death of Ann Caracristi. From the article: "Ann Caracristi, who became one of the highest ranking and most honored women at the code breaking National Security Agency after a career extending from World War II through much of the Cold War, died Jan. 10 at her home in Washington. She was 94. ... Ms. Caracristi formally retired from her intelligence career in 1982, after becoming the sixth deputy director of the NSA . . . She was the first woman to serve as deputy director. One of her strengths was reconstructing enemy code books, said Liza Mundy, a former Washington Post staff writer who is working on a book about U.S. female code breakers during the war. Admired for her early accomplishments as a young woman in wartime Washington, Ms. Caracristi was credited in her later career with providing leadership for new generations of code breakers and for her efforts to bring computers and technology to bear on the work. ... One of her jobs at the NSA was as chief from 1959 to 1980 of branches devoted to research and operations. Her honors there included the Defense Department's Distinguished Civilian Service Award and the National Security Medal, among other top federal honors. After retiring, she began serving on a variety of prominent scientific, defense and intelligence advisory boards and committees."

2 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. wow she had a cunt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    far more important than any of her achievements: SHE HAD A CUNT AND BROKE THRU THE GLASS CEILING!!!

    Fuck yeah, she will be the popstar of all the little girls! girls will want to be like her! They are so weak minded, you must tell girls what to want to be! Clinton as next woman president!!

  2. When brains work for the wrong boss ... by Taco+Cowboy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Ms. Caracristi was a real brainer

    I had opportunity of meeting her decades ago and came away very impressed

    But ... like so many other brains, she worked for the wrong boss

    No, it is not a sin to break codes - the only thing is that NSA has more interests in playing the role of a big brother sidekick than actually protecting our country

    RIP, Ms. Caracristi !

    --
    Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !