Amelia Earhart
A pioneer in flight
Biographical Information
Amelia Earhart, who was born on June 24, 1897, was the first child of Amy and Edwin Earhart. She saw her first airplane when she was 11 years old. Now Amelia is called the “First Lady of the Air”, but she had several jobs before she became an airplane pilot. She was a nurse in WWI. She also studied car repair, medicine, and social work. By 1921, she knew she wanted to be a pilot. She took her first flying lessons, and got her pilot’s license.
Contributions
In 1928, Amelia flew across the United States by herself. She was the first woman ever to do that! Then in 1932, she flew across the Atlantic Ocean alone. Finally, again in 1932, she was the first woman to fly across the Pacific Ocean by herself. Amelia Earhart was reaching amazing goals as a pilot, but she dreamed of doing even more. She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the entire world by herself. In 1937, she set out to do that, but her plane mysteriously disappeared in the Pacific Ocean. No one really knows what happened to Amelia on her last flight, and her plane was never found. Most people think Amelia died in 1937. Unfortunately, her plane probably ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean.
Character Traits
At the time Amelia was born, girls didn’t do shocking things. For example, they did not wear pants or throw mud balls. But Amelia was not quiet like other girls. She was an adventurous tomboy who loved to explore and try new things. Amelia was also a very brave lady. For example, she flew across the Atlantic Ocean alone. She also tried to fly around the world solo. Only a few other pilots (all men) had attempted such a daring feat. Her airplane was actually named "Lady Lindbergh" after the great pilot Charles Lindbergh. This showed his respect for her as a pilot, and it showed their connection to one another. Not only was Amelia a leader when she was alive, but she continues to inspire people to push beyond their own limits even today.