Wife, Mother, Spy: An Extraordinary Life Filled with Ordinary Days.

About this episode

Ann Butler discusses her experiences balancing a career in the CIA with family life in her book.

In her book, Wife, Mother, Spy: An Extraordinary Life Filled with Ordinary Days, Ms. Ann Butler explores the complexities of balancing a career in the Agency’s Clandestine Service while raising five children with a “non-tandem” spouse. This event will offer students unique insights into the realities of operational tradecraft, specifically the discipline required to maintain work-life balance as a wife and mother while navigating often risky high-stakes overseas field assignments as a 24/7 undercover CIA spy. About the Author: Ann Elizabeth Butler was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and grew up in Endicott, New York with her parents and three brothers. At Union-Endicott High School, Ann was editor of the yearbook, played clarinet in the marching and concert bands, often went to Greek Peak with the ski club, and was active in the French and Key Clubs. She majored in Economics at the University of Notre Dame, spending her sophomore year abroad in Angers, France at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest. After graduation, Ann received a Rotary Scholarship to study in Belgium and obtained a Master’s in International Trade from the Université de l’Etat à Mons. In 1986, Ann began…

People in this episode

Guest: Ann Butler

Topics covered

• CIA
• undercover operations
• work-life balance
• parenting
• women in intelligence
• career challenges

Keywords

• CIA
• spy
• work-life balance
• parenting
• Ann Butler
• intelligence career
• clandestine service

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Central Intelligence Agency

Books & works: Wife, Mother, Spy: An Extraordinary Life Filled with Ordinary Days

Places: Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Endicott, New York, Belgium, Angers, France

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