Ellen Church (September 22, 1904 – August 22, 1965) was a pioneering American nurse and aviation trailblazer best known as the world’s first female flight attendant. Born in Cresco, Iowa, Church broke barriers in both aviation and healthcare. A trained registered nurse with a passion for flying, she convinced Boeing Air Transport (now part of United Airlines) in 1930 to hire nurses as “stewardesses,” combining care and air safety—a revolutionary concept at the time.
Church not only became the first stewardess in aviation history but also helped establish the role as essential to passenger safety and comfort. Her work paved the way for generations of women in aviation.
Later, during World War II, she served as a captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, earning the Air Medal for her courageous service in the European Theater.
Ellen Church’s legacy lives on in the skies and in the field of nursing. Today, the airport in her hometown bears her name—Ellen Church Field—honoring her soaring spirit and groundbreaking achievements.
