None of them had an easy job because unlike men, they could not assume value; they had to prove it. More than thirty years after the abolition of a condition labeled as a man, women entered the Armed Institute. The presence of women in the workforce became official with a decree on February 23, 1988, yet the Civil Guard still reflects a social reality far from equal.
Today they represent a small share of the total workforce. About 9% of the nationwide force, roughly 7,200 female agents out of 80,000, with Alicante province showing a similar picture where 21 of the 85 interns attended temporarily.
There are only a few female bosses among the 54 officers in Spain, representing roughly 3% of leadership ranks. Yet the professional drive remains evident in the performance and value brought to the service. The corps is here to stay, and the women are part of its ongoing evolution.
From the early days, the first courageous women who dared to step through the gates of the Baeza Civil Guard Academy carried a conviction that their work would endure.
Sonia Gomez stands out as the first female gunsmith in the country. Having served in Alicante for more than two decades, she and a small team argued that the guns, vests, and equipment were in excellent condition and ready for use.
Gomez recalls a time when teammates doubted whether women belonged in the field, yet she pushed forward with a sense of purpose. Her career path was recognized as a clear demonstration that certain roles were not exclusive to men.
She recalls colleagues advising her to pursue a different path, but she chose the residency course and faced a future where a woman’s work was visible and essential. The question of what happens to a gunsmith once in the role is answered by ongoing contributions from women in the field.
Cape’s Daughters
Gone are the days of anecdotes about walking in heels and skirts because that was the only uniform for women. The role of a gunsmith has evolved, and women now work shoulder to shoulder with men, sometimes wearing overalls that once seemed oversized and unwieldy. They caught attention not for looks but for capability.
Women know they must prove more than their male colleagues, yet when they join, the work speaks for itself. The gunsmiths describe a vocation that quickly becomes a life, with a sense of belonging that grows through every assignment.
María Pellicer, a Leonese professional, balanced a demanding schedule and family life while rising to captain within Seprona. She emphasizes equality in pay and acknowledges that motherhood decisions affect career progression when there is limited family support nearby. The path is seldom smooth, and promotions require perseverance.
Pellicer leads Seprona in Alicante, a standout in a field traditionally dominated by men. The road to leadership was marked by paternalism from some colleagues, yet she and others persisted, proving that capability transcends gender.
In Pellicer’s story, the broader truth emerges: the absence of explicit bias does not erase deep-seated barriers. Her experience reflects a wider struggle to find equal footing and to be judged by merit rather than gendered expectations.
For Mary Pellicer between promotions, the role of captain in Seprona represents a historic achievement in Spain. This service has not foregrounded equality as a mission, yet the entry process granted women access to higher echelons. Early on, some colleagues offered protection that felt paternal, while others observed with scrutiny.
The practical challenge lies in the transition from peer to rival. The bigger obstacle often resides within each person, not in the external environment. A rigorous curriculum, including a focus on Public Equality Policies and master’s degrees in diverse areas, shapes leaders who bring a blend of field experience and academic insight. Pellicer, a pioneer in biker courses and traffic operations, embodies the balance of toughness and empathy required by complex patrol work.
She notes that as long as women feel guilty for pursuing self-improvement at the expense of family life, the problem persists. The burden is not shared by men in the same way, and change depends on embracing progress without sacrificing personal commitments.
In the Alicante Command, recent years show a lower rate of women receiving recognition, a trend some attribute to a lack of female role models and confidence gaps. Yet this gap is a call to action, not a verdict. The service needs more visibility for female achievements to counter self-exclusion and bias.
Among the 2020 awards, only a small fraction went to women, with modest gains in the following year. The numbers highlight the ongoing need for inclusive practices and proactive support for women pursuing demanding roles within the Armed Institute.
Candles for Saints
Coming from a family that prayed for saints to guide their path, Captain Pellicer never doubted the possibility of a future in the Civil Guard. She embraced the chance to study anatomy while continuing hospital work, preparing on weekends to enter the academy. She even chose to forgo a hospital opportunity to pursue training at the academy, beginning a journey at a young age.
When asked if she would transfer to seize new challenges, her response recalled a simple question about equality of opportunity. The door opened, and she walked through it with resolve.
Enthusiasm for Research
Christina S. joined the Benemérita in 2008 at age 21, driven by a passion for research and a personal connection that shaped her path. Her work as part of the Judicial Police in Alicante focused on murder, kidnapping, and disappearance cases, underscoring the critical role of women in investigative operations.
Her colleagues recall her commitment to serious cases and a determination to engage with the truth. The encounter with a male colleague who preferred a different interlocutor illustrates how progress can sometimes meet resistance, yet the value of women in operations endures.
In the pursuit of justice, she states that the motive behind her career was clear: a professional choice rooted in purpose, not a conventional job. Her focus remains on the investigative teams that solve cases and bring closure to victims’ families.
Regarding maternity and transfers, Cristina explains how personal choices intertwined with professional moves, showing how family decisions shape, but do not define, a career in the Civil Guard. The balance between work and family remains a personal negotiation that many have navigated with resilience and resolve.