She trailblazed the way for women who dream of becoming FBI agents and says some moments on the job were just as exciting and dangerous as you're imagining.
A veteran of the Marine Corps and one of the first women to work for the FBI, Colonel Susan Malone will be strutting the runway next month to raise money for veterans in need.
The former special agent says she's passionate about supporting Northern Nevada's veterans - a value she learned early in life.
"My parents were children of the Depression, and they went to war to fight tyranny in World War II. My father was a Marine Corps pilot. My mother was a school teacher, an educator. And we've always had a a family goal of supporting veterans and supporting community activities," she told 2 News Nevada.
That patriotism carried into her professional career. In 1972, when the FBI changed its rules to allow women to join the bureau, Col. Malone put in her application right away.
She became one of two women who were the first female special agents in the nation, a job she had dreamed of since eighth grade.
But joining the team wasn't necessarily a cakewalk.
"Was there push back? Sure, from some people." she said. "'Why are you here? Who are you? Why do you want to be here?' And I would say, 'you know, I want to be here for the same reasons you want to be here. I want to serve my country. I love the FBI. I want to give service.'"
And though she had to navigate those hurdles, Col. Malone says she was living her dream. At times, the job was just as exciting as many people imagine.
"I worked a lot of cases, bank robberies and extortions and kidnappings," she said. "I was one of the agents that worked the Patty Hearst kidnapping case."
Hearst was the daughter of a 1970s newspaper magnate, a wealthy heiress abducted by a radical extremist group, according to the FBI's historical account. The 'Symbionese Liberation Army' allegedly brainwashed her into joining the cause, and weeks later she was caught on security cameras holding an assault weapon and robbing a bank.
But Col. Malone says it's not necessarily those high-stakes, movie-worthy moments that stand out to her as she looks back on her career. It's the times that she had a chance to help others, and walk in the footsteps of people she admired.
"I tell everyone you have to have a hero. I had a number of heroes in my life that opened doors for me and helped me on my path," she said.
Today, she still holds herself to a high standard of generosity. She serves as president for the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Security Forum of Northern Nevada, where part of her role is encouraging civic engagement among young adults.
And on Friday, Aug. 21, Col. Malone will take the catwalk to raise money for the Veterans Guest House, a local nonprofit that provides temporary lodging for veterans seeking medical care in Reno and Sparks. Visit their website here to see if tables and tickets are still available for purchase.
Sitting down with 2 News Nevada, Col. Malone said she's happy to participate in the fashion show for a good cause, even though she's not sure what she'll be wearing. She joked that she has just one stipulation: no swimsuits.