Amelia Earhart
One of the most popular woman in the 1930’s, who changed the way the aviation world and the real world viewed women. Earhart was unknowingly setting the way for women’s rights, and advancement of women throughout society. Earhart was a very popular public figure that made headlines all over the world to be the first ever woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She was awarded the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for her record setting as first female aviator.(“Amelia Earhart”) Amelia Earhart wanted to promote two things that meant the most to her when it was her time to shine which was the advancement of commercial aviation and the advancement of women. She held nothing back and went full force to prove to the world that a woman could do just about anything.
Amelia Earhart, also known as “Lady Lindy” was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas, America’s Heartland. (“Amelia Earhart Biography”). Earhart was the daughter of a railroad attorney, which allowed Amelia to travel and explore the various towns through the U.S. as travel and industry was highlighted by railroad and trains. (“Amelia Earhart Biography”). Amelia was raised to be outspoken as she followed her father‘s work ethic and mother’s compassion toward others. Amelia rebelled and opposed her parents as she felt her childhood had been tarnished by her father's drinking problems. (“Amelia Earhart Biography”). Although Amelia hated the devastation of alcohol and how her family had been affected, Amelia entered college to amuse her powerful parents, after two years she abandoned school as it was not liberating enough for her personality. Amelia’s compassion toward others and desires to help lead her to attend and join The Red Cross where Amelia took courses in first aid, as she felt compelled to be a nurse’s aid with U.S. Military. Amelia worked with nurses at the Spadina Military Hospital where she attended to the soldiers of World War I. (“Amelia Earhart Biography”).
Amelia was her own person who acted in rebellious ways opposing her parents much like teens in today’s time. Amelia unwilling moved back to California to live with her parents. Amelia worked odd jobs and took up flying as hobby. She was the 16th woman to ever attain a pilot's license and the first women to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. (“Amelia Earhart Biography”). Amelia was daring and stylish, a lady of the 20 th Century who set goals to become a female with power, perseverance, and strong determination, movement for feminism for herself and American women. Amelia displayed spirit of adventure, excitement, motivation, determination, and compassion in her daily living. Today flying across the Atlantic ocean is done daily as airlines fly passenger jets and planes for tourist , as well as pilots who fly personal aircraft for business and travel. In the 20th Century Amelia was considered a hero, and celebrity because of her skills and adventure in the air. Amelia continued to show her desire to help others and become a woman of strength , as she worked briefly as a social worker. Still needing to extend her success Amelia felt compelled to write a book about her experiences through her journey of life. Amelia detailed her success and failures. Amelia’s book was published by George Putnam which later became Amelia’s husband. Amelia and George relationship was very similar to marriages of today as both Amelia and her husband worked and shared responsibility of household requirements, and extra activities that each fulfilled to enjoy their lives (“Amelia Earhart Biography”). Amelia lived her life fearless, supported equality of women, fought for equal rights for women within society and workforce .
Amelia became a very popular and respected leader and organizer of the Ninety-Nines an organization for women pilots. Amelia continued her career as a teacher instructor of aeronautical engineering and career counseling to female students at Purdue.
Amelia set her dreams and goals higher with each adventure and extra job or activity she became involved in, which lead to her flight to fly across the Atlantic Ocean . Amelia and fellow female pilot Amy Phipps Guest took interest in well known Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight in 1927, and decided to attempt as a female pilot (“Amelia Earhart Biography”). Amy choose to abort the attempt and offered to sponsor the flight. Amelia was selected for the attempt of a first female to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia flew the aircraft with additional supports to help report and record the flight plans and document history in making. This trip was attempt to ensure that the airplane would perform and operate as designed. Amelia was not the actual pilot of the flight due to the plane instruments designed to navigate and fly the aircraft, Amelia noted to public that she would attempt a solo flight in future and set her standards to learn and gain skills to fly a solo trip. (“Amelia Earhart Biography”).
Amelia made history and set her famous record setting flight for the first female to fly an airplane solo across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20, 1932 at age 34. Amelia received public success and fame. The solo flight took 14 hours and 56 minutes nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia became a media success, gained friendship with powerful and other famous Americans. Amelia continued her career and flew additional aircrafts through research and projects to help increase the aviation. Amelia attempted to fly around the world in 1937 with several attempts, before the final approach to fly around the world. Amelia Earhart’s aircraft lost signals and her aircraft disappeared. Amelia was never found through the search efforts nor
was the airplane. The disappearance has historians to speculate what happen. Many myths have been discussed from the crashing and sinking, Japan having captured, kidnapped, killed,
change of identity, and even theories of Amelia being a spy for FDR during World War II. Amelia’ Earhart’s devotion, determination, strong willed, and independent female, created the stepping stones for all women and equality that my grandmother, my mother, and my sister are able to live and be productive ,strong,leaders of today and the future.
Works Cited
“Amelia Earhart.” History.com. A+E Networks. 2009 history.com/topics/amilia-earhart. Accessed 17 October 2016.
“Amelia Earhart Biography.” Biography.com. A+E Networks. 18 May, 2016 biography.com/ameia-earhart-9283280. Accessed 19 October 2016.