<p>Ellen Church, a nurse from Iowa, wanted to become an airline pilot, but it wasn't possible for a woman in her day.</p><p><br></p><p>In 1930, she approached Steve Stimpson at Boeing Air Transport with the novel idea of placing nurses aboard airliners to help relieve the travelling public's fear of flying.</p><p><br></p><p>Church first flew as a stewardess between Oakland and Chicago for 18 months. She developed a training program for the first flight attendants. After an automobile accident, she completed her college degree and returned to nursing.</p>

The First Stewardess

<p>By the early 1930s, airlines were introducing distinctive uniforms for their employees that promoted prestige and allure of aviation staff.</p><p><br></p><p>The first stewardess uniform was made of dark green wool with a matching green and grey wool cape.</p>

The First Stewardess Uniform

<h1>Flight Attendants </h1><h3>Flight attendants are the friendly faces that assist us through our time on an airplane. They teach us aircraft safety, answer questions, ease our fears, and provide exemplary service. But what are the origins of flight attendants? What about their distinctive uniforms? What role did they play in the fight for civil rights?</h3><p>Though a woman wouldn't pilot a commercial airliner until 1973, by the early 1930s women were entering the ranks of flight attendants. While Pan Am and other airlines employed men as flight attendants, Boeing Air Transport introduced the first women flight attendants in 1930. For a time, women would become&nbsp;synonymous with the flight attendant profession—largely because they could be paid lower wages than men, and because of sexist marketing practices which advertised beautiful woman to attract customers.&nbsp;As social changes swept the nation in the latter half of the 20th century, both women and men fought for equality and respect in the profession.</p><h2>The First Stewardess</h2><figure><img src="https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/callout_half/public/images/14211h.jpg?h=9c0a5115&amp;itok=2IQB1Dzo" width="735" height="551" alt="Ellen Church" title="Ellen Church"></figure><div>The First Stewardess</div><div>Ellen Church</div><p>A nurse from Iowa, Ellen Church wanted to become an airline pilot but realized that wasn’t possible for a woman in her day. So in 1930 she approached Steve Stimpson at Boeing Air Transport with the novel idea of placing nurses aboard airliners. She convinced him that the presence of women nurses would help relieve the traveling public’s fear of flying. Church developed the job description and training program for the first stewardesses. Church first flew as a stewardess between Oakland and Chicago. She had only served for 18 months when an automobile accident grounded her. After her recovery, she completed her college degree and returned to nursing.&nbsp;</p><h3>The Original Eight</h3><figure><img src="https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/body_large/public/images/14212h.jpg?itok=Ibe9zLmY" width="735" height="595" alt="Boeing 80A Air Transport Crew" title="Boeing 80A Air Transport Crew"></figure><h4>These are the “Original Eight” female flight attendants for Boeing Air Transport (later United Air Lines). They trained under the program developed by Ellen Church in 1930.</h4><figure><img src="https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/body_large/public/images/14203h.jpg?itok=GfPKcj9u" width="332" height="498" alt="The First Stewardess Uniform, Boeing Air Transport, 1930 (replica)" title="The First Stewardess Uniform, Boeing Air Transport, 1930 (replica)"><figcaption dir="auto">The first stewardess uniform was made of dark green wool with a matching green and gray wool cape.</figcaption></figure><h3>The First Stewardess Uniform</h3><p>By the early 1930s, airlines were introducing distinctive uniforms for their employees. These uniforms promoted the prestige and allure of aviation staff. Pilots wore military-style uniforms to reflect their status. Pan American emulated luxurious ocean liner service by calling its pilots “captains,” and dressing its crews in naval-style uniforms. The white hats and navy-blue, double-breasted jackets complemented the rank insignia on the sleeve cuffs. Other airlines followed, and many of these customs continue today.</p><p>The first stewardess uniform was made of dark green wool with a matching green and gray wool cape. United Air Lines made this replica (left) and donated it in commemoration of Ellen Church, the first stewardess, and the rest of United’s “Original Eight” females.&nbsp;</p>

Flight attendants are the friendly faces that assist us through our time on an airplane. But what are the origins of flight attendants?

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Flight attendants are the friendly faces that assist us through our time on an airplane. They teach us aircraft safety, answer questions, ease our fears, and provide exemplary service. But what are the origins of flight attendants? What about their distinctive uniforms? What role did they play in the fight for civil rights?

<p>Though a woman wouldn't pilot a commercial airliner until 1973, by the early 1930s women were entering the ranks of flight attendants. While Pan Am and other airlines employed men as flight attendants, Boeing Air Transport introduced the first women flight attendants in 1930. For a time, women would become synonymous with the flight attendant profession—largely because they could be paid lower wages than men, and because of sexist marketing practices which advertised beautiful woman to attract customers. As social changes swept the nation in the latter half of the 20th century, both women and men fought for equality and respect in the profession. </p>

<p>A nurse from Iowa, Ellen Church wanted to become an airline pilot but realized that wasn’t possible for a woman in her day. So in 1930 she approached Steve Stimpson at Boeing Air Transport with the novel idea of placing nurses aboard airliners. She convinced him that the presence of women nurses would help relieve the traveling public’s fear of flying. Church developed the job description and training program for the first stewardesses. Church first flew as a stewardess between Oakland and Chicago. She had only served for 18 months when an automobile accident grounded her. After her recovery, she completed her college degree and returned to nursing.  </p>

These are the “Original Eight” female flight attendants for Boeing Air Transport (later United Air Lines). They trained under the program developed by Ellen Church in 1930.

<p>By the early 1930s, airlines were introducing distinctive uniforms for their employees. These uniforms promoted the prestige and allure of aviation staff. Pilots wore military-style uniforms to reflect their status. Pan American emulated luxurious ocean liner service by calling its pilots “captains,” and dressing its crews in naval-style uniforms. The white hats and navy-blue, double-breasted jackets complemented the rank insignia on the sleeve cuffs. Other airlines followed, and many of these customs continue today. </p>

<p>The first stewardess uniform was made of dark green wool with a matching green and gray wool cape. United Air Lines made this replica (left) and donated it in commemoration of Ellen Church, the first stewardess, and the rest of United’s “Original Eight” females.  </p>

History of flight attendants

The First Stewardess

The First Stewardess Uniform

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