The Great Stewardess Rebellion

How Women Launched a Workplace Revolution at 30,000 Feet

By: Nell McShane Wulfhart

Narrated by: Bonnie Friel

The empowering true story of a group of spirited stewardesses who “stood up to huge corporations and won, creating momentous change for all working women.” (Gloria Steinem, co-founder of Ms. magazine)

It was the Golden Age of Travel, and everyone wanted in. As flying boomed in the 1960s, women from across the United States applied for jobs as stewardesses. They were drawn to the promise of glamorous jet-setting, the chance to see the world, and an alternative to traditional occupations like homemaking, nursing, and teaching.

But as the number of “stews” grew, so did their suspicion that the job was not as picture-perfect as the ads would have them believe. “Sky girls” had to adhere to strict weight limits at all times; gain a few extra pounds and they’d be suspended from work. They couldn’t marry or have children; their makeup, hair, and teeth had to be just so. Girdles were mandatory while stewardesses were on the clock. And, most important, stewardesses had to resign at 32.

Eventually the stewardesses began to push back and it’s thanks to their trailblazing efforts in part that working women have gotten closer to workplace equality today. Nell McShane Wulfhart crafts a rousing narrative of female empowerment, the paradigm-shifting ’60s and ’70s, the labor movement, and the cadre of gutsy women who fought for their rights—and won.

Great book!

What a FANTASTIC read. If you are an aviation nerd like I am, you will enjoy this book. The book does a great job of presenting the reader with a great overview of the profession and the HELL women had to endure. Many things I was aware of (e.g., weight/age restrictions, the blatant racism and sexism), but I learned a few new things (Can you believe women were EXPECTED to kiss every male passenger on the cheek as they de-planed? And this was in 1972!). I also really appreciated the dive into the union and how women broke away to form their own professional union. Also the advertising campaigns these airlines came up with were downright wrong (Google the Braniff Fly Strip campaign when you have a sec). The PBS series “American Experience” recently did an excellent series on FAs and I think a good portion of that was pulled from this book. 🧳

History I didn't know!

One of my few 5 star reads of 2022.

I love books that tell a history of a subject I don't know much about. I read another book about stewardesses that I also really liked but that one had a different focus. This not only tells the stories of some of the women who were stewardesses back in the day, but it also tells how they contributed to unionization and women's rights.

Wulfhart is an amazing storyteller. Women's rights are always interesting to me, but she made unions interesting!

very informative!

well narrated and delivered. covers several decades of flight attendant history, the challenges they faced and the accomplishments they achieved on the labor rights and labor union fronts.

Powerful

I’ve been a flight attendant for 28 years and learned so much from this story. Incredible! A must listen for anyone in this profession. All women need to listen to this! Important history for the next generation!

Very Insightful

So interesting - I have great respect for these women after listening to this book. They worked hard to change so many things that we women today take for granted.