Hannah, I think it is not easy to answer your questions, as they most likely have changed quite a lot during the last 50 years...
Maybe its a good idea to contact women flyers associations such as the german VDP:
Vereinigung Deutscher Pilotinnen e.V.
If you look up the links, you`ll find other sites, like the 99ers, the whirly girls etc.
Also you might try BALPA
BALPA | British Airline Pilots Association | UK maybe they have a female pilots working group or the like...