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Running Head: LITERATURE REVIEW

Kerensa Okano
University of Texas at El Paso
Fall 2014
Professor Vargas-Ortiz

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Abstract
This paper will concentrate on the feminist movement within the stewardess industry during the
1970s and how it has changed overtime. I will evaluate how this industry started in the 1930s
and how it attract popularity among the women in the 1970s. Flight attendants became the
Americas icon for women. Although the industry boomed in

Flight Attendants; Symbol of America: A Review of Literature

When World War II finally settled in 1945, many jobs opened up to many American men
and women. Although there were still many equality issue between men and women regardless
of the color of the skin, there were unresolved issues in the industry. However, for women
besides becoming a home-stay mom, field in nursing, teaching, and especially becoming a flight
attendant became available for women in the 1950s. The industry grew over the years and it
became wildly popular in the 1970s. Yet theres a lot of questions is to why becoming a flight
attendant attracted many women. In this paper I would evaluate the causes and the reason is to
why becoming a flight attendant was popular and how people portrayed these women in the
industry during the feminist movement. As well as how the flight attendant industry changed
over-time after the feminist movement and even post 9/11.
Why were flight attendants positions held mainly by females?
Unlike pre and post-World War II, during the war time many masculine men-held jobs
were available to preform by the females like never before. Women began to work in places
where majority of the workers were men. Many women worked as mechanics, built and fixed
tanks and airplanes that were utilized in wars. Strikingly, for the first time women were
portrayed as hard-working, loyal, and compassionate as they waited for the soldiers to return
home.
Why were women attracted to the flight attendant profession in the 1970s?

How were flight attendants portrayed in the 1970s?

The airline industry grew tremendously in the 1970s. Television ads were everywhere
and magazine ads and posters became popular as well to attract clients. Majority of the clients in
the airline industry were men, therefore the airline advertisement were mainly targeted towards
men. In order to achieve that many advertisement portrayed flight attendants to be the sex
symbol for the airline. Most airline companies were forced to wear short skirts, had to meet the
age and weight restrictions. More than likely majority of the women were White. The flight
attendants were looked upon as promiscuous and were only there

How has the flight attendant field changed over time?

The industry of flight attendants have changed dramatically as the years went by from the
1970s. Many regulations were abolished when women fought for equal rights.

Conclusion

Reference

Borstelmann, T. (2012). The 1970s: A New Global History from Civil Rights to Economic

Inequality. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from

http://www.questiaschool.com

Tuana, N., & Tong, R. (Eds.). (1995). Feminism and Philosophy: Essential Readings in Theory,

Reinterpretation, and Application. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Retrieved from

http://www.questiaschool.com

Whitelegg, D. (2007). Working the Skies: The Fast-Paced, Disorienting World of the Flight

Attendant. New York: New York University Press. Retrieved from

http://www.questiaschool.com

Come Fly With Me: The Story of Pan Am (Pan American)

1928 passengers were climbing on board
Looking to escape prohibition.
In the beginning the flight attendants were only male.
1930s
Crossing the Pacific Ocean
1935 worlds first transit across the Atlantic Ocean *
1939 had sleeping compartment, fine dining, even a bridal suit. From American to
Europe. 26 hour flight.
World War II changed everything,
Pan Am camouflaged to be used in War,
Flew supplies, troops, males, and even presidents.
End of War.
Pan Am first commercial airplane.
1960s

Well I just remember the girls, nothing else

Another town, another man