Edwardsville author unearths the stories of the women who shaped Route 66

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Cheryl Eicher Jett discussing her book about the women who contributed to Route 66.

Beyond aprons and roadside diners, women helped power and preserve Route 66. Edwardsville resident Cheryl Eicher Jett’s new book “Aprons Away: Women’s Work on Route 66” — which first premiered as a play — chronicles untold stories of more than 80 women who worked along the Mother Road’s 2,448-mile stretch. We talk with the author about some histories of the women who shaped the landmark, including some from the St. Louis area.

People in this episode

Guest: Cheryl Eicher Jett

Topics covered

• women's history
• Route 66
• literature
• local authors
• cultural heritage

Keywords

• Route 66
• women's work
• Cheryl Eicher Jett
• Edwardsville
• history
• book
• cultural impact

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Aprons Away: Women’s Work on Route 66

Places: Route 66, St. Louis, Edwardsville

More episodes of St. Louis on the Air

• Bid for commander pay raise evokes raw feelings among St. Louis’ police and firefighters · June 12, 2026 · 21 min
• Missouri officials want federal money to rebuild St. Louis. But Congress will need to act · June 12, 2026 · 28 min
• Power your summer playlist with these new tracks by St. Louis musicians · June 11, 2026 · 26 min
• Emerson Magaña’s ‘Tequila Time’ is a celebration of home, nature, women and tequila · June 11, 2026 · 25 min
• How St. Louis won the bid to host the 2028 U.S. Olympic marathon trials · June 10, 2026 · 31 min
• Sapphic dating show ‘Closet Space’ sparks joy and connection in Missouri’s queer community · June 10, 2026 · 19 min