Amelia Earhart, An Amazing Woman Who Changed History

Women's History Month: Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart is best known for being the first woman to fly a plane solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Let’s learn a little more about this amazing woman.

The Early Years of a Trailblazer

Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in a small town in Kansas. Her father was a lawyer and worked for the railroad.

Something important was happening in another part of the country at this time. In 1903, in a coastal town in North Carolina, two famous brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, would be the first to successfully get an aircraft off the ground for its first flight.

After high school, Amelia’s father encouraged her to attend college. But Amelia quickly dropped out and volunteered in a medical facility caring for wounded soldiers during World War 1.

Near where she was working was an airfield where pilots practiced various maneuvers. In 1917, it was here that Amelia first became interested in flight.

Amelia Takes Flight

In 1920, Amelia and her father attended an air show in California. While there, Amelia took her first flight. It was a short one, but it was enough to convince her that she wanted to be a pilot.

Over the next few years, Amelia would take on various odd jobs to earn enough money to take flying lessons. In 1923, she became one of only 16 women to earn an international pilot’s license.

Amelia was also able to purchase her own small plane. It was bright yellow, and she named it, “Canary.”

Flying Farther and Breaking Records

In 1928, Amelia was asked to navigate a flight across the Atlantic Ocean. In a plane named “Friendship,” piloted by Bill Schultz and Slim Gordon, Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

When she returns home, Amelia is seen as a hero. They had a parade for her in New York City, and she was invited to the White House to meet President Calvin Coolidge.

But Amelia Earhart wanted more. On May 20, 1932, she took off from Newfoundland, determined to be the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

The flight was harrowing, and the weather conditions were dangerous. She had intended to take the same path Charles Lindbergh had taken previously and land in Paris, but the flight was cut short.

Amelia ended up landing in a farmer’s field in Ireland. Her mission was successful, however, as she made it across the ocean. In total, the flight lasted just less than 15 hours.

Following that famous flight, Earhart made a series of flights across the United States to inspire more women to become pilots. She also wanted people to see flying as a safer and quicker way to travel.

In 1935, Amelia flew solo from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, California, crossing the Pacific Ocean. She was now the first person (not just a woman) to fly solo across both major oceans. But she still wanted more. She wanted to fly across the world.

Amelia Earhart's Final Flight

In June 1937, Amelia Earhart took off from Miami, Florida, after flying across the US from California in an attempt to fly around the world. Fred Noonan accompanied her as a co-pilot and navigator. The trip would be grueling and dangerous, totaling 29,000 miles.

By June 29, Amelia had successfully reached New Guinea, an island north of Australia in the Indian Ocean. There were only 7000 miles left to complete the trip.

On July 2, the duo took off at 12:30 am. Soon after the plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

The US sent army and navy vessels to search the area, and Japan even sent its navy to help. They searched for more than two weeks before giving up. They found no evidence of the plane or the pilots. Amelia Earhart was gone.

Amelia Earhart will always be remembered for her bravery and blazing a path for women to become professional pilots. Although no one has ever found evidence of her lost plane, she will never be forgotten.