The Beginning of Pioneer Stewardesses
Pioneer stewardesses laid a foundation for generations. When commercial aviation began, most airline operators felt the skies were only for men. As a result, Boeing’s Steve Stimpson took action. He believed “flight nurses” could fill that role. In 1930, he convinced Boeing. Subsequently, today’s flight attendant became a reality. Eight Boeing Air Transport Stewardesses set the standard.
Stimpson and Ellen Church
Boeing Air Transport hired Stimpson as a district manager. A chance encounter with nurse and aviatrix Ellen Church. She became the stimulus for hiring flight nurses. At the time, co-pilots looked after the passengers. He passed out box lunches and served coffee from a thermos bottle. Clearly, Ellen felt a qualified girl could do a better job.
Trying to convince Boeing was not easy. Unlike the rest of the company, William Patterson told Stimpson to give it a try. He gave him permission to hire eight stewardesses for a three-month trial period.
The World’s First Stewardess Service
Within a month, Stimpson hired and trained the eight girls. Four lived in San Francisco. The other four resided in Chicago. In addition, uniforms were designed and made. Writing a manual and working out schedules became Ellen’s responsibility. Stimpson handled the expenses. Despite the limited time, the World’s First Stewardess Service began right on schedule. The four Chicago girls flew the ‘Eastern Division’ between Cheyenne and Chicago. The other four belonged to the ‘Western Division’ flying from Cheyenne to San Francisco.
The Image
The image of the eight pioneer stewardesses took place in Cheyenne before the start of the new service. Unquestionably, Stimpson and Church provided the inspiration to lay the foundation for airline comfort and safety.