Books are written about her. Films produced. And her image is on stamps and memorabilia everywhere. Why is Amelia Earhart such a fascination for the world? It’s simple, Really. She trailblazed through the skies in a plane, during a time when many people thought it impossible for a woman to do so. She stands out in travel history. And it’s not just Amelia Earhart’s disappearance that explains why she is a household name. She set many aviation records and advocated for women in aviation.
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The Early Years
Born in Kansas in 1897, Amelia Earhart had a sense of adventure from a very young age. At the age of seven, she crashed her homemade roller coaster. After high school, she became a nurse’s aid, taking care of the wounded in World War I.
Later, following the war, she cast aside her intentions to go into medical research when she flew as passenger in a plane during an air show. That moment would change her life forever, when she knew she wanted to be a pilot.
And so, the adventures began, with a very determined Earhart working as a file clerk to help pay for flying lessons.
Above image via CarRentals.
Meet Pilot Amelia Earhart
Then, in 1921, she passed her flight exam. Only two days later, with the ink still wet on her pilot’s license, Amelia flew in her first aviation show with her own plane, “The Canary.”
After this, the aviation records began. Amelia setting her first record in 1922, just one year after passing her flight test. Perhaps her most famous aviation record came in 1932.
That was when Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. There was only one other successful flight before her, when Charles Lindbergh made the first solo flight.
Several solo flights later, Earhart embarked on the fateful journey that has haunted us since that day. It’s the subject of books such as this one.
Amelia Earhart’s Disappearance
Amelia Earhart’s DisappearanceThen, on June 1st, 1937, Amelia left Florida with her navigator, Fred Noonan. It was her second attempt to circumnavigate the globe. On July 2nd, they left New Guinea to fly to their next fuel stop in the Pacific, Howland Island. But they never arrived and officials declared them as missing on July 19th.
It’s not just her fame as a pilot that we remember Earhart for. Throughout her short life, Earhart encouraged equal opportunities for women in the field of aviation. In 1929, to promote the advancement of women in aviation, she formed an international organization called the Ninety-Nines.
Amelia Earhart isn’t the only woman who trailblazed around the world. Other heroines who left their mark in travel history, inspiring women everywhere to hit the road of adventure, include Jeanne Barat and Bertha Benz.
Such an interesting read! It’s important for all young girls to have female role models to look up to and show them that their dreams can be achieved 💛
Agree!! Thanks for sharing your support of positive female role models, Katrina :)
I’ve been fascinated by Amelia Earhart since I was a kid. Excellent post!
Thanks for the support, today and always!!
Absolutely!
It is somewhat amazing that they never found her body. A grandfather whom I never got to meet, because he died of pneumonia prior to penicillin being invented, knew Charles Lindbergh. Those early days of flight are filled with interesting stories. Amelia Earhart certainly left her mark!
Oh wow Peggy your grandfather must have seen quite the things back in his day! Let’s keep Amelia and other courageous women alive by retelling their accomplishments :)
Thanks for this brief but fascinating bio of Amelia Earhart. What a shame her life was so tragically cut short.
Sometimes I struggle with the shortness of life… It’s a reminder that the we ought to do all we are passionate about while we’re still on this beautiful Earth xo
<3 We say: Go Girl! Emelia went!!!! xx
She did – and she’s continuing to inspire! xo
xo :D
Great spotlight!. The sky is limitless. So sad that she went missing during one of her flights. But she left her mark, doing what she truly liked. And that’s more than an achievement… 🦋✈️ 😘
AWESOME comment, AP! Let’s spend our days doing what we love and leave our stamp on the world that way ~ YES. Happy weekend, sweetie ((HUGS))
Hugs back at you! 😘♥️😘
Aw thanks, I feel the hugs now :D
Fascinating post! Thanks for sharing.
Great to see you, Lizzie! I love sharing bios of strong women, as you know ;)