In 1974, Mary Buckley (1974-2006) was the only black female agent in her New York City unit. Her casework led to the takedown of notorious drug dealer “Mr. Untouchable,” Nicky Barnes. His prosecution is considered the most significant case of the era and pivotal for later DEA work. Later Ms. Buckley became the first female country attaché in Nigeria.
Pictured is Mary Buckley in Firearms Training, ca. 1974. Also pictured is Special Agent Buckley's jacket, which she wore while working as a staff coordinator in Basic Agent Training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in GLynco, GA. At the time, all federal law enforcement training took place at FLETC, except for FBI training. DEA moved their training to Quantico, VA, in 1999.
Pictured below, female special agents pose for a group photo at DEA headquarters. Mary Buckley is seated in the second row, second from left. Ca. 1979.