Women Warriors

The Hidden Spies of WWII

By: Donna Pedace

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

This book tells the stories of the 52 female agents trained and sent into France by SOE. They were a widely diverse group of women by age, education, economic background, and motivation. But all had the goal of freeing France from German occupation. Of the 50 women who went to France, eleven (11) were executed while prisoners in concentration camps, and two (2) died of disease in the camps. Others were captured and tortured but survived the war. All showed incredible courage, and Nazi records show that not one of the captured women gave the Germans any classified information – even when they faced a certain death.

Women Warriors – The Hidden Spies of WWII is an unforgettable collection of wartime exploits by heroines like Virginia Hall, Pearl Witherington, and Noor Inayat Khan. Their patriotism, courage, ingenuity, and sacrifice were indispensable in working with Resistance movements to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in Nazi-held territory. Readers will be awed by the accomplishments of this extraordinary group of patriots and humbled by their sacrifices.

Author Donna Pedace drops readers behind German lines during World War II with the daring women who undertook dangerous missions for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) between 1941 and 1944. Most of these brave women parachuted into France, risking their lives to support the Allied war effort through leadership and coordination with local Resistance networks.
Toni Hiley, CIA Museum Director Emeritus
Behind the veil of secrecy, not yet raised by the Air Ministry, there are great stories of courage and endurance. For the agent has no status, no friendly uniform or consul to rely on. With her friends, she is outside the law – until it catches up with her. Written by Squadron Leader William Simpson, Distinguished Flying Cross, regarding the female SOE agents in March 1945.

Donna Pedace is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Eugene O’Neill Theater and Museum and the Spanish Colonial Arts Society and Museum. She previously wrote and published The Traditional Spanish Market of Santa Fe, History and Artists, and Scandalous Women of the Old West – Women Who Dared to be Different.