Alumni
From the CIA to the National Gallery: Pickett Randolph '50
Pickett D. Randolph ’50 began her academic journey at Calvert School in 1944, as well as a relationship that has continued for over seven decades. With a strong sense of self, young Pickett went onto Foxcroft School, Wheaton College, and later began a career with the CIA.
As an Eleventh or Twelfth Age student, Pickett took a tour through the FBI. She shared, “I wanted to be an agent but you had to be either a lawyer or accountant and a man. So I joined the CIA instead!” Her first position at the CIA was that of a stenographer, and eventually, she became a training officer. This role involved her speaking in front of groups and was instructional in nature.
In 1982, she earned an MA in National Security Affairs from the Naval War College. In her class of 360 at the Naval War College, she was one of six women, and the first CIA woman to be sent to and graduate from the Naval War College. “The Navy did not want women but I cracked the College’s glass ceiling!”
In 1982, she earned an MA in National Security Affairs from the Naval War College. In her class of 360 at the Naval War College, she was one of six women, and the first CIA woman to be sent to and graduate from the Naval War College. “The Navy did not want women but I cracked the College’s glass ceiling!”
This spirit followed Pickett throughout her 33-year career in the CIA and continues in her second career as a Docent at The National Gallery of Art. Right before she was set to retire she read the National Gallery was looking for docents. She applied and said that she had little art history but she loved art and loved to teach. “The interviewers were more into the origin of my name "Pickett” than my teaching ability or knowledge of art. I am now in my 26th year at the National Gallery where I design and give tours to children.”
In early November, Pickett shared her love and knowledge of art by giving a tour of the National Gallery to Washington, D.C. area alumni. During the tour, she showed off her Signature Society member socks, which she received as a thank you for being a loyal and consistent donor to The Calvert Fund and Calvert School. Her Calvert memories, like winning a talent show by imitating a dogfight, and her life-long friendships are why Pickett started and continues to give back to Calvert!
Calvert School is a coed independent lower and middle school.
