In the 1950s and ’60s, stewardesses were seen as glamorous, beautiful, and poised. They were the epitome of elegance and sophistication in the sky. However, behind the glamorous facade, thousands of stewardesses were also facing challenges and discrimination in the workplace.
“Fly With Me,” a new documentary film premiering on PBS’ “American Experience,” sheds light on the untold stories of these pioneering women who fought for equal rights, gender and race equality, and workplace reform. Directed by Sarah Colt and Helen Dobrowski, the film explores the struggles and triumphs of the women who were hired as stewardesses in the golden age of jet travel.
The film takes us back to a time when airlines had strict policies dictating everything from the weight and appearance of stewardesses to their marital status. Stewardesses had to adhere to rigid standards set by the airlines, including strict height and weight requirements, mandatory retirement at age 32, and a ban on marriage. They were also subjected to regular appearance reviews and weigh-ins, creating a high cost of conformity for these women.
Despite the challenges they faced, stewardesses were determined to fight for their rights. As the women’s rights movement gained momentum in the 1960s, stewardesses began to push back against discriminatory practices in the airline industry. They fought for their right to equal pay, gender and race equality, and workplace reform.
One of the key figures in the film is Patricia “Pat” Noisette Banks Edmiston, who became one of the first Black flight attendants after filing a lawsuit with the New York State Commission on Discrimination in 1956. It took four years before the court ruled in her favor, paving the way for other Black women to enter the profession.
Barbara “Dusty” Roads, a flight attendant for American Airlines, shares her experience of filing a complaint based on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited workplace discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Roads and her colleague Jean Montague challenged American Airlines’ policy of mandatory retirement for female flight attendants at age 32, leading to a landmark ruling by the EEOC.
The film also highlights the story of Mary Pat Laffey, a former Northwest Airlines flight attendant and union activist, who fought for equal pay for female flight attendants. Laffey filed a class-action lawsuit in 1970, challenging the airline’s discriminatory practices and advocating for gender equality in the workplace. The case eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the flight attendants and awarded $60 million in back pay.
Throughout the film, we see how stewardesses banded together to form Stewardesses for Women’s Rights in 1972, gaining support from prominent figures in the women’s rights movement. Despite facing backlash from the airline industry and society at large, these women continued to fight for their rights and advocate for workplace equity.
“Fly With Me” is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of these pioneering women who paved the way for future generations of flight attendants. Their stories serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up for equality and justice in the workplace, and the enduring legacy of the fight for women’s rights.
As the film premieres on PBS’ “American Experience,” viewers are invited to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of these unsung heroes of the skies. Through their courage and perseverance, stewardesses of the past have left a lasting impact on the airline industry and society as a whole. Their legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those who continue to fight for equality and justice in the workplace.