A woman was in the ranks of the elite squad of Secret Service agents guarding President Obama’s vehicle this afternoon in the motorcade that passed down Pennsylvania Avenue.
The unknown woman, with her blonde hair slicked back into a ponytail, stood on the left side of Mr Obama’s Cadillac, walking in stride with the other agents.
The cavalcade slowly made it was way from Capitol Hill to the White House, with Mr Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama exiting at one point, waving to the hundreds of thousands of people along the mall.
Security lines today stretched more than a block to screen inauguration attendees for banned items such as lawn chairs, umbrellas, and firearms.
As the agents walked by the general public, the Secret Service agents carefully combed the crowds with their eyes, monitoring any suspicious activity.
The unknown woman flanked the first agent on the driver’s side of the car with her jacket open, despite the chill in Washington today, to reveal a white button-down shirt below. She, unlike the first lady, wore flats for the day's events.
The agents walked all the way down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, a tradition which dates back to the first inauguration of President George Washington.
The first organized parade happened in 1809, but it would be many decades until women were allowed to participate. It was at Woodrow Wilson’s second inauguration in 1917 that women were finally allowed to march.
Following last April’s Secret Service scandal in South America, where a dozen male agents were accused of being involved with a Columbian prostitute, there were cries from American media for more female agents.
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-New York) said at the time that the probability of the scandal happening ‘would have been reduced significantly’ if there were more women in the Cartagena detail, according to the Washington Post's Joe Davidson.
The agents were guarding what they call ‘The Beast,’ the Cadillac limousine used to transport the president and first lady in today’s ceremonies.
The First Cadillac cost more than $300,000 to make, and is completely bulletproof. Presidential transportation was given a complete overhaul following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in the back of a convertible.
Some of its specifications include a foam-sealed fuel tank which will absorb any impact from an explosion and won’t itself explode, as well as Kevlar-enforced and puncture-resistant tires.
Unfortunately, because of all of its reinforcements, The Beast gets only eight miles to the gallon and peaks at a speed of 60mph.
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