Amelia Earhart
The First Woman to Fly The Atlantic
"Trailblazers prepare the rest of us for the future."
Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24-1897 in Atchison Kansas.
She attended various schools, including Harvard, and had a variety of jobs.
Miss Earhart was introduced to flying while living in Los Angeles, and in 1921
made her first solo flight.
In 1927 she accepted the opportunity to accompany Stultz and Gordon on their 1928
flight to England, which inspired her to attempt it alone.
On May 20 1932 she set off from Newfoundland to attempt her record breaking transatlantic
crossing. The next day, after a difficult flight lasting 15 hours she landed her bright red aircraft in
a small field near Derry. The people - where even a car was still a novelty- were amazed to see this
feminist celebrity and the first to reach her asked "Have you come far".
Lockheed Vega 5B
Amelia made two attempts to circumnavigate the globe, both of which failed.
The second attempt in 1937. After a flight of some 22,000 miles, Earhart and her navigator Fred
Noonan were lost somewhere near Howard Island in the Pacific Ocean. No trace was ever found.
"The Earhart light" on Howard Island
Amelia and Fred
Lockheed Electra 10E
She
vanished over 70 years ago, but fascination with Amelia Earhart
continues through each new generation. High adventure, the dazzling
world of celebrity, and a passion to excel in a male-dominated field
are only part of the story. In studying this remarkable woman,
teachers should encourage students to look beyond her achievements in
the air and the overshadowing last flight. Help them to discover
"Millie" Earhart as a complex human being who was witty,
intelligent, and deeply caring about people. She wrote poetry and
books, penned wonderful letters, and charmed audiences from the
lecture platform. She encouraged others--especially young women--to
follow their dreams and was tireless in promoting the safety of
aviation.
