Author Cheryl Eichar Jett discusses "Aprons Away" at Ink & Imprint
[June 23, 2026]
On Thursday evening, Ink & Imprint and Lincoln Public Library
District teamed up to host Cheryl Eichar Jett, author of Aprons Away:
Women’s Work on Route 66. Jett’s work explores the often-overlooked
contributions of women. While several women served as waitresses or
performers at Route 66 staples, others held behind-the-scenes roles as
business owners and operators, and Jett explores the history and
importance of both sides.
Jett explained that her book profiles over 80 women who contributed to
the foundation of Route 66 through their works. The book evolved from
Jett’s stage play, which she wrote and directed. The stories of each
character are brought to life through monologues accompanied by music.
The play was produced in 2018 and 2019. Then, Jett began thinking about
the centennial of Route 66 and decided to take the idea to publishers.
While no women from Lincoln or Logan County were featured in this
volume, Jett is open to suggestions and stories on those from the area
for future volumes.
The book's cover features the well-known Depression-era photographer
Dorothea Lange. Lange documented the struggles of migrants who were
traveling west along Route 66 during the Dust Bowl. Jett also discussed
several key female figures from Southern Illinois and Missouri. She
shared the story of Frieda Paul, who, with her husband, opened the
Marvel Theater in Carlinville. Frieda was a talented musician who worked
in California playing piano for silent movies. When Frieda moved back to
Illinois, she missed playing in the theaters. They built the Marvel in
the 1920s, and Frieda provided live piano and organ accompaniment. When
a fire destroyed the original theater, they temporarily relocated their
operations while rebuilding without missing a beat. Their new Art
Deco-style theater was completed in January of 1928.
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Another Illinois figure that
Jett presented on was Joyce Tarro. Tarro was the long-time owner
of the Coliseum Ballroom in Benld, Illinois. The Coliseum was
built by Joyce’s father in 1924. It was one of the most popular
music and dancing venues between Chicago and St. Louis. They
booked many legendary musicians like Tina Turner and Duke
Ellington. However, Joyce’s story came to a tragic end one night
after she closed the ballroom. As she was returning home on
Valentine’s Day of 1976, she found her house being robbed. Joyce
was fatally shot, but not without firing a few shots back. The
building was destroyed by a fire in 2011, and a statue of
dancers memorializes the legacy of Tarro and the Coliseum
Ballroom.
Jett also presented on Missouri’s first female mayor, Mayme Ousley,
of St. James, Missouri. Ousley spent her life in politics and
serving the community. Jett also discussed Ruby Denton of Groom,
Texas. Denton owned and managed the Golden Spread Grill along Route
66 and fed generations of travelers. Jett then opened the floor for
discussion. There was a brief discussion of the Harvey Girls and
their impact on women in the workforce and along Route 66. Jett
welcomed the opportunity to greet the audience, answer questions,
and sign books.
[Joli Boerma Crane]
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