Members of the McDaniel Women’s Leadership Network joined an impressive cross-section of female business leaders Oct. 31 to hear former CIA Agent Valerie Plame Wilson tell her story drawn from her book, “Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House.” Her speech was part of the annual Women of Excellence fundraising luncheon sponsored by Network 2000 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel.

While serving her country as a CIA clandestine operations officer, Valerie Plame Wilson kept her occupation and her identity a secret from all but a very few close family members. When her covert status was revealed to several national journalists, one of whom published her name, it set off a firestorm still raging today. The leak triggered a federal investigation into the highest levels of government. It also resulted in the overnight loss of her career and privacy. Having captured the nation's attention, her plight has played a central role in the country's turbulent struggle to redefine the first amendment, the right to privacy, leadership and public trust.

Following the luncheon, the McDaniel group gathered for a post program discussion with Dr. Lauren Dundes, professor of Sociology, and Athena Varounis, retired FBI agent.

The nonprofit Network 2000 was founded in 1993 to promote the advancement of women in professional and executive positions. Its membership is a roster of the region's top female leaders, including executives, attorneys, judges, entrepreneurs and educators. McDaniel President Joan Develin Coley is a member and serves on the Mentoring Committee.

For more information about the McDaniel Leadership Women’s Network go online at http://www.mcdaniel.edu/mwln.htm.