Dusty Roads: Meet the Hidden Figure Who Really Ignited the Women’s Movement

Monday November 3rd  7:00 to 8:00 pm

Take a trip back to the “Golden Age of Air Travel” with Elaine Rock’s lively slideshow through the 1950s–70s. Relive glamorous (and sometimes outrageous) uniforms, memorable in-flight meals, and the cultural shifts that transformed workplace rights. Hear the inspiring story of Dusty Roads—a stewardess, union leader, and one of the first female lobbyists to Congress—whose persistence challenged ageism, sexism, and unfair airline policies, including marriage bans for women only and firing them at age 32. Her efforts throughout her career changed those rules and opened new employment doors for both women and men nationwide. Gloria Steinem put it simply to Dusty: “I should be thanking you for everything you’ve done. You’re the one who started it all!”

Bonus: Elaine will offer attendees a door prize: a free copy of the PBS American Experience “Fly With Me” DVD, in which she and Dusty are featured. She will also provide handouts on What Women Couldn’t Do in the 1950s and ’60s and Expectations Imposed on Men in the 1950s and ’60s.