Sexual Discrimination Of Women During World War II

Women have always existed within the intelligence community, working behind the scenes and in the shadow of men. However, during World War II, the number of women in intelligence agencies grew exponentially, as is evident in the M15, where women outnumbered men twelve to five (Toy et. al). How did sexual discrimination change the role and perception of women in intelligence during World War II? Sexual discrimination against women in intelligence services during World War II had negative impacts on them in the areas of recruitment, positions of power, and public perception. When recruiting women to work in intelligence, agencies held them to different standards than their male counterparts. A 1920s paper on women’s employment in the M15 reveals

In British newspapers and movies, women were always viewed as secretary or sex. Spy fiction sensationalized the thought of heroic, undercover spies, but they also raised fears of trained female agents who would betray their friends and family (Wheelwright). Foreign women were especially targeted with fears of German nannies, cabaret dancers, and governesses. Myths of Germans using seductive spies, such as pretty barmaids, to flirt and drink with soldiers were popularized. Stereotypes of coldhearted, lustful courtesans grew so powerful that the foreign female spy could not be seen as anything else (Wheelwright). This frenzy over female spies was not just limited to Britain. France and America also were filled with accusations of foreign spies and paranoia over pretty, sociable women. Such accusations were fuelled by examples of “immoral” female spies. For instance, Mata Hari drew much attention for her reputation as a courtesan and many famous lovers (Wheelwright). She was prosecuted with claims of killing over 50,000 men and committing moral degeneracy and was killed in front of a firing squad. Such sensational stories fuelled conspiracies and accusations, and the symbol of a spy-courtesan was forever embedded into culture despite few actual prosecutions for espionage (Wheelwright). As a result, the work and actions of female spies was devalued and marginalized into roles of femme fatale. Due to anxieties about betrayal and male vulnerabilities, the female spy was forever branded in popular culture as a courtesan and sexualized in the media. One prime example of this is Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the spy who organized the underground French spy network, the Alliance, and shared information of weapons and troop movements of Germany (Atwood 61-62). Despite her major role in events such as D-Day, she was questioned, and her role was feminized and belittled because of female