Amelia Earhart
A Woman Made for the Hall of Fame
Soaring into Womens Rights
In 1920 Amelia Earhart boarded an airplane for the first time and this moment set her on a course which would pave the way for future generations of women aspiring to gain the same rights as men. In a time when few woman had careers or even finished school Amelia worked as a truck driver, a stenographer, mechanic, and photographer she was offered a spot in Columbia University's medical program, and in 1921 had purchased her first airplane. She believed women could hold the same careers as men, could have the same hobbies as men, and never stopped pushing the boundaries to advance women in her generation.
The Young Lady Lindi
Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas on July 24, in the year 1897. After completing high school Amelia attended Columbia University in the pre-med program. At Columbia her class was only the fifth year women were being accepted into the College of Medicine. However, once she had flew an airplane for the first time it was clear that destiny was calling her into the sky. After working her way through flight school and independently purchasing her own airplane; in 1923 Amelia became one of a hand full of women world wide to hold an International Pilot's License. She flew in air races, took areal stunt training classes, and helped found the 99 Club, an all female aviation club. Amelia was not only a charter member, but was also voted the first president of the club. All of this happened in a time when women had just gained the right to vote 3 years earlier.
1921
Amelia in flight school
1923
International License
1923
Amelia in an open cockpit
A Lady for the Record Books
Amelia Earhart broke and set many records during her short but illustrious life.
1922 Women's high altitude record
1928 First women to cross the Atlantic by plane
1929 Set 2 women's air speed records
1930 First woman to fly an autogiro (helicopter)
1932 First woman to fly solo transatlantic
- First woman to win the National Geographic Gold Medal
- First woman to be awarded the Congressional Flying Cross
- First woman to fly solo transcontinental in the U.S.
1934 Frist woman to fly solo from California to Hawaii
- First woman to fly solo from L.A. to Mexico City
- First woman to fly solo from Mexico City to New York
1928 - Wrote 2 award winning books
1932
Amelia doing preflight checks
1932
Amelia's Lockheed DL-1
1929
Amelia before an air rodeo
A Pioneer in Womens Aviation
When Amelia was invited to fly with a group of pilots across the Atlantic she gained the notoriety of being the first woman to cross the Atlantic by plane. However, she was merely a passenger and in her own words was, "nothing more than a sack of potatoes." Never happy to be merely a passenger Amelia wrote a best selling book after her trip for the Putnum Publishing company called, 20 Hours 40 Minutes, where she chronicled her journey on the flight across the ocean. Millions of copies were sold as the country was fascinated by a young woman who was stepping so far outside of the cultural norm. The money from the sale of the book funded Amelia's real accomplishments. The next time she crossed the Atlantic it was flying a solo flight as the first woman and only the second person ever to attempt this!
Amelia wearing trousers and a neck tie
Amelia not only pressed for women to get the vote, to have the same careers as men, but also to change the clothes women wore. The practical trousers and tops were safer and more efficient than petty coats and skirts for working women.
Circumnavigating the Globe at the Equator
"I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system and I hope this trip is it. Anyway when I have finished this job, I mean to give up long-distance "stunt" flying."
Amelia's last flight was to be her most dangerous and exciting attempt. She was trying to be the first woman to circle the globe at the equator and the world watched with anticipation as she and her copilot left from Florida headed to Puerto Rico on June 1, 1937. The trip was filled with little issues such as mechanical problems, monsoon rain storms, and Amelia suffered from dysentery which delayed them for several days. However against the odds by June 29th the team had covered over 22, 000 miles with only 7, 000 left to go. But those 7, 000 were across the vast Pacific Ocean. Amelia took off from New Guinea on July 2nd headed for the tiny Howland Island. Her last radio transmission said, "KAHQQ...calling Itasca... we must be on you but cannot see you...gas is running low.." That was the last time Amelia Earhart's voice was heard. It is thought she and her copilot ran out of gas and crashed landed most likely into the Pacific Ocean.
Amelia Earhart Preparing Before Her Final Flight Around the World
New video of Amelia Earhart before her last flight finally sees the light of day | Mashable
Amelia Earhart for the Hall of Fame!
During and era when women had just gotten the vote, could not join the military, and in most states couldn't even sit on a jury; Amelia Earhart pushed all the boundaries for the advancement and equal rights for women. She set and broke records in aviation for women and men, she paved the way for new careers for women, and persevered in an age when she was expected to simply be a wife and mother. Amelia once said, "Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done," and she certainly lived up to her own quote.
Swing and Electro Swing Collection