Coleen Rowley is a former FBI special agent known for her whistleblowing actions following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Born on December 20, 1954, in Iowa, she served in the FBI for over 24 years, focusing on counterterrorism and criminal investigations. In 2002, she sent a memo to FBI Director Robert Mueller detailing the agency's failure to act on intelligence about Zacarias Moussaoui, who was later linked to the 9/11 plot. Her memo became public, sparking debates on intelligence reform. In 2002, Time magazine named her one of the 'Persons of the Year' alongside Cynthia Cooper and Sherron Watkins for their whistleblowing efforts. Rowley has since become an advocate for government accountability and transparency, testifying before Congress multiple times. Her actions have influenced reforms in intelligence handling and whistleblower protection laws.
