Through the 1970s and 80s, flight attendants fought landmark legal battles for workers' rights. They successfully challenged discriminatory hiring practices, eventually opening the profession to men (returning to the industry's very earliest roots of male stewards) and ensuring that the job was recognized as a lifelong career rather than a temporary stint before domesticity. The Modern Professional: Safety First
By the 1950s and 60s, the requirement for a nursing degree faded, replaced by a strict focus on aesthetics. As airlines entered the "Jet Age," the hostess became the face of the brand. This era was defined by "finishing school" standards: