What I found most fascinating about the article was this paragraph:
Decades ago, hiring policies ensured that the ranks of flight attendants remained young. Stewardesses faced mandatory retirement by 32. If they married or became pregnant, they were out. In 1966, a New York Times classified ad for stewardesses at Eastern Airlines listed these requirements: “A high school graduate, single (widows and divorcees with no children considered), 20 years of age (girls 19 1/2 may apply for future consideration). 5’2” but no more than 5’9,” weight 105 to 135 in proportion to height and have at least 20/40 vision without glasses.”
You may or may not recall that I did some time working as a flight attendant. It definitely wasn't one of my favorite jobs. It was dull. It was long hours. It was unpredictable.
Perhaps if I'd had fun uniforms like those of days past...
I think it was a little more fun and glamorous back in those days.
But that did come with a bit of a price - sexism.
Wow, what a great example of just how far we HAVE come! (and those are fun uniforms!)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought so. Sometimes old ads can be so funny - and put things into perspective.
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