She served in various posts in the U.S. Department of State, including that of political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Sweden from 1981 to 1983, and was on the National Security Council during the Carter Administration.
She studied at the University of Oklahoma where she received a Bachelor's degree in Letters and a Master of Arts in Philosophy.
She did also study contemporary literature and philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris and at the University of London.
[2][3] Walker started her government career as an analyst of West European affairs at the CIA.
From 1984-1990 she held various positions in the State Department and helped to shape the policy of the United States on arms control negotiations through her work as Chair of various interinstitutional committees.