The Operation of the Pearl Girls

The Pearl Girls program serves as a missionary front and a key intelligence network for Gilead's spy operations.

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Inception of the Pearl Girls

A Strategic Initiative Saving Commander Judd's Reputation After the National Homelands genocide charges, Commander Judd's reputation is in tatters. Aunt Lydia proposes the Pearl Girls program as a way to improve Gilead's image and gather intelligence. Judd takes credit for the idea, but Lydia controls the operation. Training and Indoctrination Young women are recruited as Supplicants and trained to be missionaries. They are taught to be persuasive and observant. Their silvery dresses and fake pearls are symbols of purity. They are sent to Canada and other countries to recruit converts and collect information. The Brochure System The Pearl Girls distribute brochures featuring Baby Nicole. These brochures are used to carry microdots, allowing communication between Mayday and their source inside Gilead. The system is foolproof for years because no one suspects the religious material.

The Canadian Mission

Recruiting in Toronto Targeting the Vulnerable Pearl Girls like Aunt Beatrice and Aunt Dove work the streets of Toronto, approaching homeless youth and troubled women. They offer a promise of safety and purpose in Gilead. They are trained to spot potential converts and to report suspicious activity. The Clothes Hound Connection Melanie's store is a regular stop for the Pearl Girls. They leave brochures and pick up returned ones. The microdots are glued to the pages. Aunt Beatrice and Aunt Dove are unaware of the espionage; they believe they are simply doing God's work. The Death of Aunt Adrianna Aunt Adrianna is found dead in a condo, tied to a doorknob. The official story is suicide, but the truth is that she was killed by her partner, Aunt Sally, after a dispute about reporting Baby Nicole. The incident threatens to expose the microdot operation, but Lydia covers it up.

The Thanks Giving Ceremony

A Grand Welcome The Ritual Returning Pearl Girls present the Pearls they have gathered in a ceremony. Each girl is given a new name and a string of pearls. The ceremony is designed to inspire loyalty and awe. Nicole is presented as Jade, a Pearl of Great Price. The Speech Aunt Lydia officiates, praising the bravery of the missionaries. She declares that the new Pearls are now under the protection of Ardua Hall. The ceremony masks the real purpose: Nicole is being placed in a position where she can be closely monitored. The Aftermath After the ceremony, the new converts are assigned to different Aunts for training. Nicole is sent to live with Agnes and Becka. The other new Pearls are less fortunate; some become Handmaids or Econowives. The selection process is ruthless, but Nicole is protected because of her value as Baby Nicole.

early in Gilead's history, after the National Homelands fiasco

the years leading up to the main events

the day Nicole arrives at Ardua Hall