Aviation Adventures Lecture Series

Discover the often-overlooked contributions of Pan Am stewardesses to the geopolitical crises of 1960s and 70s.

Flying into active war zones in Vietnam, working in Cold War Moscow, and shepherding foreign dignitaries, American servicemen, and refugees around the world: few of the young women who became stewardesses on Pan American World Airways in the 1960s and 70s envisioned the true rigors of their glamorous job.

Drawing on her book Come Fly the World: The Jet Age Story of the Women of Pan Am, Julia Cooke will discuss their often-overlooked contributions to the geopolitical crises of the era and examines why the role of Jet Age stewardess carried far more professional weight than simply being a flying waitress.

This program will be presented in-person at the National Air and Space Museum in DC and will be streamed live on YouTube. Registration is required for in person attendance and encouraged for online viewing.

ASL Interpretation will be provided and live captioning on YouTube. If you require another access service to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact [email protected]. To ensure the best experience, please try to contact us at your earliest convenience. 

After the lecture, Cooke will sign copies of Come Fly the World, which will be available for purchase from the Museum Store.

Sponsored by GE Aerospace