More on PBS documentary

Airline Industry, Dusty Roads, Extraordinary Women, Feminism, Flight Attendant History, Uncategorized /

The Points Guy posted a great review, written by Harriet Baskas, about tonight’s PBS American Experience documentary. She mentions how Dusty and Jean entered the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission after the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Title VII passed Congress and filed the first discrimination complaint in the country based on gender discrimination. In the 1950s and ’60s, “stewardesses were glamorous. They were beautiful. They were poised,” says former Delta Air Lines flight attendant Casey Grant at the beginning of a new documentary film about the history of flight attendants. But over time, thousands of stewardesses, as these workers were […]

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Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action

Airline Industry, Flight Attendant Unions /

Flight Attendants across the industry are fighting to raise the standards for our career. More than two-thirds of the U.S. Flight Attendants are in contract negotiations right now, including red-hot contract fights at Alaska, Air Wisconsin, United, Omni, American, Southwest, Frontier and more. This moment is not about what uniform we wear: It’s about what unites us, and that unity transcends airlines. Our time on the job must be compensated. We need retirement security. We need flexibility and control of our lives. Legacy sexism that attitudes towards this industry continues to traditionally devalued our jobs must be stamped out and

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In Memoriam: Dusty Roads

Dusty Roads /

It is with great sadness that I announce Dusty passed away on Nov. 21, two weeks after I finished reading the final chapter of the draft manuscript to her. She said she loved it and then left the planet. PBS will have an “In Memoriam” tribute to her at the end of their documentary “Fly With Me.” RIP, Dusty—you will be missed. Here’s a photo of her on her 95th birthday in April of 2023.

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PBS airs “Fly With Me” documentary on Feb. 20, featuring interviews with Author Elaine Rock and flight attendants Dusty Roads and Jean Montague

Airline Industry, Dusty Roads, Women's Liberation, Women's Rights, Women’s History /

I am thrilled to announce that I will be featured as an expert on Barbara “Dusty” Roads and early flight attendant history in the PBS American Experience documentary “Fly With Me,” airing on Feb. 20 at 9 p.m. on your local PBS station. It will also stream on PBS.org. Sara Colt Productions interviewed me last June. Dusty and Jean were also interviewed about their experiences as stewardesses and flight attendants. As a union leader, negotiator, and one of the first female lobbyists to Congress, Dusty’s attempts to overturn the airline rules firing them at age thirty-two, and banning marriage would

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How I Met Dusty Roads: Feminist Stewardess And Labor Trailblazer

The Author's Life & Journey /

I always enjoy telling the story of how I met Dusty Roads at the local YMCA swimming pool, which was an unexpected and serendipitous event. I had been swimming laps after water aerobics class while my friends went to the hot therapy pool to soak and chat about their weekend. When I finished my workout, I headed toward that pool. I noticed my friends surrounding two vibrant and elegant elderly ladies who were pristinely coiffed, had perfectly applied makeup and lipstick and wore earrings that matched the color of their swimsuits. The ladies had already mesmerized my friends. When my

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