Woman fought to fly the friendly skies with equality and dignity
Published: 2/8/2013 1:47 PM
Last Modified: 2/8/2013 1:47 PM
Edith Lauterbach was the last survivor of a group of women who fought against sexist rules governing flight attendants. She died at age 91 Monday in San Francisco.
Today, the short biography of Edith Lauterbach appeared in the Tulsa World pages.
You have to read past the one about the passing of the Troggs' frontman, but she's worth it.
Lauterbach was the last survivor of a group of women who organized the first union of flight attendants in the 1940s.
It could not have been an easy fight.
The first "sky girl" was hired in the 1930s, and then "coeds" were employed the following decade.
When they married, gained weight or hit their 30s, they got fired.
The pay was lousy and working conditions not ideal, including a requirement to wear high heels.
They also put up with "touch inspections" to make sure they were wearing girdles, and their nail polish and lipstick had to be company approved.
They were only paid for time in the air, meaning they weren't compensated when the plane was grounded or when they collected tickets at the gate terminal.
They earned about $19,000 a year, as adjusted to today's salaries.
An AARP blog about Lauterbach features a vintage vocational commercial and photos.
The photos are meant to show a lot of leg and the video states the "smiling hostess" must be "a person of charm."
Lauterbach and three colleagues - Frances Hall, Sally Thometz and Sally Watt - stood with United's chief stewardess, Ada Brown, when she started organizing a union in 1944.
When the union officially launched the following year, Lauterbach was its treasurer.
Today, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, part of the Communications Workers of America, represents about 60,000 workers at 21 airlines.
Lauterbach worked for four decades on planes until her retirement in 1986.
She experienced the evolution away from appearance and youth to more professional preparedness.
She is credited for playing a key role in eliminating the mandated "retirement" age of 32.
In 1952, she directed the first test of emergency passenger evacuation procedures.
She died at age 91 Monday in San Francisco.
I did not know of her before today.
But, I will think of her now every time I board a plane and give a little thanks.
Written by
Ginnie Graham
News Columnist
