Pan Am’s notorious catchphrase in the early 1960s read, “How can you change a world you’ve never seen?” Across the nation, articles, posters, and newspapers advertised that phrase, sparking a passion for discovery and adventure in the hearts of 230,000 young women interviewing for a stewardess position at Pan Am Airlines. Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am, written by Julia Cooke, vividly weaves together immersive and enlightening stories of Pan Am stewardesses, intertwining historic events in the late 1900s with the hectic lifestyle of the “sky girls” during the Jet-Age. Tori, Lynne, Hazel, Clare, and Karen, the five stewardesses Cooke centers her work around, all fit the rigorous requirements of a role “only hiring 3 to 5 percent of applicants” (Cooke 12). The incentives to be hired, and keep the role, as a Pan Am stewardess were remarkably sexist and fell into the stereotypical notion of feminine beauty during the late 1900s. In fact, during Lynne Totten’s interview, she was asked if “losing a bit of weight would be a problem” after she indulged in one too many pasta dishes during her travels around Rome (Cooke 13). Additionally, along with the sexist standards, the intellectual requirements included the ability to speak two languages, a college degree, and an authoritative nature. Even with all the stipulations, the thrilling position drew ambitious women from near and far. From exploring lavish cities during layovers to experiencing foreign lifestyles, one might think that the career of a stewardess was a consistent wave of refreshing, fun experiences, but that was far from the truth. The monthly weigh-ins and strict no marriage or children policy began to lose the appeal of the job. The misogyny was also a continuous factor as one stewardess told a reporter, “I don't think of myself as a sex symbol or a servant, I think of myself as someone who knows how to open the door of a 747 in the dark, upside down, and in the water” (Cooke 152). Those who stayed with Pan Am found themselves fulfilling positions they did not sign up for. During the Vietnam War, stewardesses began to act as nurses, counselors, and entertainers to the soldiers being airlifted out of the war zone. Through these newfound roles, attendants like Tori, “recognized the soldier's gratitude” and formed deep bonds in an attempt to cheer them up, often referring to them as “my boys” (Cooke 168). Stewardesses began to foster a new perspective on life through these dangerous flights filled with people fighting for their lives and the lives back in America. Cooke delivers a profound representation of a widely popular career for women in the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing their role in political, social, and cultural changes. This book has expanded my knowledge into the lives of the remarkable “sky girls” who defied conventional stereotypes for women during this transformative period. Through blending personal narratives with broader themes, Cooke ultimately offers readers a reflection of the shifting societal norms against a backdrop of geopolitical changes.
Tori, Lynne, Hazel, Clare, and Karen, the five stewardesses Cooke centers her work around, all fit the rigorous requirements of a role “only hiring 3 to 5 percent of applicants” (Cooke 12). The incentives to be hired, and keep the role, as a Pan Am stewardess were remarkably sexist and fell into the stereotypical notion of feminine beauty during the late 1900s. In fact, during Lynne Totten’s interview, she was asked if “losing a bit of weight would be a problem” after she indulged in one too many pasta dishes during her travels around Rome (Cooke 13). Additionally, along with the sexist standards, the intellectual requirements included the ability to speak two languages, a college degree, and an authoritative nature. Even with all the stipulations, the thrilling position drew ambitious women from near and far.
From exploring lavish cities during layovers to experiencing foreign lifestyles, one might think that the career of a stewardess was a consistent wave of refreshing, fun experiences, but that was far from the truth. The monthly weigh-ins and strict no marriage or children policy began to lose the appeal of the job. The misogyny was also a continuous factor as one stewardess told a reporter, “I don't think of myself as a sex symbol or a servant, I think of myself as someone who knows how to open the door of a 747 in the dark, upside down, and in the water” (Cooke 152).
Those who stayed with Pan Am found themselves fulfilling positions they did not sign up for. During the Vietnam War, stewardesses began to act as nurses, counselors, and entertainers to the soldiers being airlifted out of the war zone. Through these newfound roles, attendants like Tori, “recognized the soldier's gratitude” and formed deep bonds in an attempt to cheer them up, often referring to them as “my boys” (Cooke 168). Stewardesses began to foster a new perspective on life through these dangerous flights filled with people fighting for their lives and the lives back in America.
Cooke delivers a profound representation of a widely popular career for women in the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing their role in political, social, and cultural changes. This book has expanded my knowledge into the lives of the remarkable “sky girls” who defied conventional stereotypes for women during this transformative period. Through blending personal narratives with broader themes, Cooke ultimately offers readers a reflection of the shifting societal norms against a backdrop of geopolitical changes.