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Today's book recommendation for Women's History Month is "The Great Stewardess Rebellion: How Women Launched a Workplace Revolution at 30,000 Feet" by Nell McShane Wulfhart (2023).
When stewardesses were first introduced to passenger air travel, they were hired as nurses, to care for airsick or nervous passengers. Before long, their role had changed to encompass general passenger pampering. In the process, stereotypical gender roles played a larger and larger part.
Stewardesses were required to report for weight checks, clothing inspections (including girdles), and attend training on makeup, hair, and general "charm". They were forbidden to marry or to become pregnant. And they were summarily fired when they reached the age of 32.
In addition to all this, they were subject to sexual harrassment and innuendo, encouraged by highly sexualized advertising campaigns by the airlines which employed them. Their pay was low, and the union to which they paid their dues ignored their issues to focus on male transportation workers issues.
This book is the story of how the women organized to fight for their rights under Title VII, formed their own union to better represent them, and won better pay and benefits, freedom from oppressive rules, protection from harrassment, and a career path that offered opportunity for advancement and respect.
Link to book: