Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was a well known pilot and a celebrity during her adult years.   She was regarded for her independent ways, courage under pressure, and for having a long successful career in a field with very few women.   Amelia Earhart changed the perspective for women in aviation.
                    Amelia Earhart broke many records for flying solo during her long career as a pilot.   In 1932, Amelia was the first woman (second person) to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and the first person to cross the Atlantic twice by air.   In 1935, Amelia broke three records, including being the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California in 17 hours and 7 minutes. Also in 1935, she was the first person to fly solo from Los Angeles, California to Mexico City, Mexico by official invitation from the Mexican Government.
          Amelia’s life off the plane was just as interesting as her life in the air.   Amelia had a troubled childhood, and in 1918 caught the flu during the Spanish Flu pandemic, and she was bedridden for a year. When she was better, she visited an air field, and something came alive inside her. She dove head first into becoming a pilot, and because she was so successful, she quickly became a celebrity.   She wanted to set a positive example for women, so she volunteered and helped the wounded in WWI, worked as a social worker for children, and in 1929 started The Nine-Nineties, which is the International Organization of Women Pilots that is still going strong today. Amazingly, she won the Harmon Trophy as America's Outstanding Airwoman for three years in a row. George Putman, a fellow pilot, married Amelia after she finally agreed, and her thoughts about their marriage were very modern. She said they were equal ‘partners’ and bread winners.   Amelia Earhart was award winning and ground breaking.
      Though Amelia’s life was exciting and fulfilling, she wanted to conquer more. She wanted to fly...