Female Secret Service agent protects the Obamas as she walks alongside The Beast during inaugural parade

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.
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Guarding: Secret Security agents flocked the president and first lady as they made their way down Pennsylvania Avenue

 

Boy's club: The agent was one of several women guarding high-profile politicians like the Obamas and the Bidens

 

 

 

Girl power: President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama ride in the presidential limousine during the 57th Presidential Inauguration parade; center right, a blonde Secret Service agent guards The Beast

 

 

More women: Five female secret service agents, circled in red, were front and center in today's motorcade

Guarding: The woman seen alongside her male co-workers as the motorcade slowly made its way to the White House

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.

Romantic moment: President Obama kisses the first lady as their daughters Sasha, left, and Malia, second from left, look on; the female Secret Service agent looks on from the second row

 

She wore a patriotic pin, small earrings and her earpiece

Close eye: The agent kept a close eye on the first couple as Mr Obama kissed the first lady's hand

 

Salute: The president saluted military servicemen as they marched in the inaugural parade

 

Protected: The Obamas and the Secret Service agents watched the parade from behind a thick plate of bulletproof glass

 

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.

 

There is no word how long she has been protecting the First Family

 

Venue: A pavilion was set up in front of the White House where the Obamas could watch the parade

 

Mounted cavalry: Mounted officials went by the Presidential Reviewing Stand as the sun set over Washington

 

 

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.

Four years ago: At the 2009 inauguration, all of the main Secret Service agents were male