Church, Ellen (c. 1905–1965)

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Church, Ellen (c. 1905–1965)

American stewardess. Born c. 1905 near Cresco, Iowa; died 1965.

In early days of air travel, suggested to Boeing Air Transport (BAT) that nurses be placed on airplanes to ease public's fear of flying; as a registered nurse, became the 1st airline stewardess (1930), working BAT's route between Oakland, CA, and Chicago, IL; served as captain in Army Nurse Corps during WWII and received Air Medal. Airport in her hometown of Cresco, Iowa, named Ellen Church Field.

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Church, Ellen (c. 1905–1965)

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