Amelia Earhart
Many fantastic aviators have shown their talents throughout the centuries. Americans have been fascinated, time after time, with the ability to fly. One woman in particular took her fascinations and abilities and became one of the greatest aviators of her time. Amelia Earhart was a very famous, record-setting woman aviator. Amelia, while on her around the world flight in 1937, disappeared and left many people, even today, trying to figure out what happened to her.
Amelia Earhart was a courageous woman who set high standards for woman aviators to follow. In other words, she made outstanding achievements. She was even able to break the records of her fellow male colleagues, which is a pretty big achievement. She also wanted to do the most challenging flight she could think of. According to the “Earhart Overview”, “Amelia Earhart … is, even today, certainly the most well-known woman aviator of all time.” For example, in 1928, when she was 31 years old, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean by plane and became the first woman to do so. She also set records by flying from Mexico to New Jersey, and flying from Hawaii to California in the year 1935. As she started her most known flight, she joined up with her famed navigator Fred Noonan and her specially-built plane called the “Electra”, they embarked on their craziest journey yet. The flight started in Oakland, California and then went through Miami. She then flew over the following countries: South America, Africa, India, and New Guinea. (4: SV A, B, C.) The last part of her journey was to go from New Guinea to a small island in the Central Pacific called Howland Island. From there, she would land the “Electra”, take the Coast Guard Cutter “Itaska” back to Oakland, and re...
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...ng the best; she still goes down in history as one of the greatest aviators to ever live. Who knows, maybe one day, researchers will find out
Anderson 5 exactly what happened after that morning of July 2, 1937. One thing is for sure, women from all parts of the world are inspired by the great Amelia Earhart.
Anderson 6
Works Cited
Beheim, Eric. "Searching for Amelia." Naval Aviation News. 01 Sep. 2004: 22. eLibrary. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
Caron, Christina. "Amelia Earhart Mystery Solved? Investigation Junkies' to Launch Expedition." abcnews.go.com. ABC News Network, 27 July 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
"Earhart Overview." Earhart Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2013
"Reviewing the Historical Controversy of Amelia Earhart." The History of Amelia Earhart's Disappearance Before and After 1937. Beyond 37', Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
Throughout the 1920s and 30s, although forming a thirteenth of all aviators, many women played a significant role in flying. (Corn, p 72) Amelia Earhart was one of these women. She was a pioneer in women’s aviation. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic alongside pilot Wilmer "Bill" Stultz and co-pilot/mechanic Louis E. "Slim" Gordon. Four years later, she became the first woman to fly solo across the same ocean, replicating the record setting flight of Charles Lindbergh. During her life she set many women’s records: altitude records, solo American coast to coast flight records, and speed records. (Amelia Earhart, Achievements) She also came in at fifth place in the Bendix Trophy air race in 1936, of which women won three of the five top spots. (Corn, p 556)
July 24, 1897, a belligerent war against the norm of society is interrupted by the birth of one Amelia Earhart. From the time of her birth in Atchison, Kansas, to her disappearance in the Pacific Ocean at the age of 39, Amelia Earhart was venerated as a beacon of hope for women aviators around the world. She is recognized as the first woman aviator to set multiple records and some acclaim that Amelia Earhart is “perhaps the most effective activist of her time.” Acting upon a simple yearn for flight, Amelia Earhart managed to alter the public view on women as workers as a whole, and provided a hero during the ubiquitous devastation caused by the Great Depression.
Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, since she was a little girl she was always a hard worker and determined to stand out and be different from everyone. Her mother’s name was Amy Earhart, her father’s name was Edwin Earhart, and she had a sister named Grace Earhart. Amelia’s family was different from many other people’s family back then. Amelia and Amy liked to play ball, go fishing, and play outside looking for new adventures, other family’s would rather stay inside and play with toys and not get messy or spend time outside. Amelia’s parents always knew she was different from all the other kids, she always got made fun of in school, and she had a lot more determination
Amelia Earhart has resonated in our society, ever since her death, but she was also a very prominent figure during the Great Depression.
On June 1st, 1937, Amelia Earhart, took off on what she thought would be a historical flight. She began her journey in Oakland, California. This was her second attempt to become the first pilot in history to circumnavigate the globe. She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, took flight in a twin engine Lockheed 10E Electra, and successfully flew to their first destination, Miami, Florida, followed by a successful flight to their next destination, South America. Together, they continued on their journey and successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean and stopped in Africa, then continued East to India and then Southeast Asia. It was later discovered, that Earhart and Noonan left important communication and navigation instruments behind, in order to possibly have more room for fuel on the long flight. On June 29th, 1937, they arrived in Lae, New Guinea; only twenty-one days after their journey began. They had already flown 22,000 miles and were only 7,000 miles away from their starting point in Oakland, California. It appeared as though they would complete their journey (“Amelia Earhart”).
Amelia Mary Earhart wrote this consolation to her husband in a letter that would be sent to him in the event of her death by air (“Biography”). She was a strong woman to be reckoned with throughout her life in the early twentieth century. She had a fiery personality that she displayed often in her life. In her book Last Flight, Earhart tells about how she first became interested in flying when she attended an air fair in Toronto. While standing in a field with a friend, a pilot above saw them and attempted to scare the girls by diving at the them. Amelia however, was not concerned, and stood her ground as the plane flew by. Earhart later remarked, "I did not understand it at the time, but I believe that little red airplane said something to me as it swished by” (Earhart 3). She was obsessed from that point on and set out to fly again. According to Dorothy Cochrane and P. Ramirez from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: a few years later in rapid succession Earhart got her own plane, broke records, and got a pilot license. Earhart was well on her way to becoming an influential aviation figure, and made it clear how she wanted to present herself. She expressed her independence and views on feminism through her traditionally masculine clothing like pants, while also cutting her hair short (Slabach). In 1928 Earhart began preparation for her first transatlantic flight as she set out to be the first woman to cross the Atlantic. There had already been casualties during past attempts, but Earhart was not discouraged. That was the start of the wondrous and spectacular adventure of the rest of her life in aviation. She went on to fly solo across the Atlantic, and even attempted to circumnavigate the world. Earhart was an importa...
She was a feminist woman with great courage and good will. She was always reminded and thanked for her good strong actions that showed feminism was something possible. Amelia received a letter from the Clarksburg Rotary Club in which it said, “Congratulations your daring solo across the Atlantic placed womans achievements in aviation at a new high mark in history welcome back to our shoes.” This letter shows how big of an inspiration and leader Amelia Earhart was through her outstanding expedition. Amelia was also determined aside from her own goals to help other women. In the article “Who is Amelia Earhart?” by Marion Perkins, he shares some of his knowledge about Amelia, in the article he shares some of Amelia Earhart’s personal notes which said, “I shall try to keep my contact with the women who have come to class; Mrs. S. and her drunken husband, Mrs. F’s struggle to get her husband here, Mrs. Z. to get her papers in the face of odds, all are problems that are hard to relinquish after a year’s friendship.” This short but meaningful note written by Amelia shows the way she cared and wanted to help other women get the education they deserved and have more opportunities. Amelia was also a great role model for many women because her expedition across the Atlantic Ocean was a reminder and proof that anything was possible. Susan Ware wrote, “Amelia shared this
In 1920 Amelia went to an airshow that kick started her love for airplanes. So shortly afterwards she started seeking flying lessons (not cheap). But after a year of saving and lessons she bought her first airplane, a Kinner Airster biplane that she called the “Canary”. So on May 15th of 1923 Amelia Earhert became the 16th woman to be issued a pilot license.
It was after that first 1920 flight that she said, “ As soon as we left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly.” The next year she bought a biplane and named it The Canary. Her aviation career just grew from that point on. She flew the world record for the highest altitude reached a female pilot. In 1928 she was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, although as a passenger. She turned that around and flew the first solo female flight across the Atlantic, a mere four years later. She set seven speed and distance records in all. She even became the first person, male or female, to cross both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans(“Amelia Earhart” Biography.com). With these air breaking accomplishments she also became a famous celebrity setting fashions and promoting Aviation(“Amelia Earhart” Amelia Earhart). Amelia had a significant impact on 1920s and 1930s society, and she made strides in how aviation is
With her amazing childhood, and dare-devilish personality, she accomplished much more than any of us could possibly do today. She left a great legacy, and a tough act to follow. She will forever remain in history books as the greatest woman pilot who ever lived.
Amelia Earhart was not only the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, but an iconic figure for girls across the nation. Many people told her that it was impossible for a woman to fly across the Atlantic, but on May 10, 1932 she proved them wrong! Earhart was a strong and noble character in American aviation, and helped to knock down sexist barriers between men and women! Amelia Earhart never gave up on her dream of becoming an aviator, showing us that we should never give up on dreams of our own.
Many women were giving up flying (Lovell 116). “On December 15, 1921 Amelia passes her flying license tests, given by the National Aeronautic Association.” (Timeline) With the money she earned by working as a telephone operator, she bought a plane for her 25th birthday.” (Amelia Earhart) Amelia’s first plane was called the friendship (6). Amelia set the women’s world flying speed record of 181.18 miles per hour (Timeline). Amelia had a dream plane; a Lockheed Electra, capable of cruising at 200 miles per hour (Amelia Earhart). Amelia couldn’t purchase an Electra, because it was too much money (Amelia Earhart). It was $50,000! “Fortuna...
Amelia Earhart was very interesting because she was the first person to attempt to fly around the world in one trip. But, then She went missing we’ll following the equator. Still to this day nobody has found her plane. If anybody ever does find it they will probably be known in history.
In the story “Final Approach” about Harriet Quimby & the story “Dream of Flying” about Bessie Coleman it talks about two great women pilots who achieved a lot. They have many similarities & differences.
Amelia Earhart is a legend in America for flying the airplane. She had a passion for planes that went beyond a hobby. Other than flying she also wrote a few books and developed a fashion trend of flight clothes. She had many accomplishments in her life time from going to college to being the first women to solo over the Atlantic. Amelia Earhart is known in the American perception as one of the world's most famous aviators. Amelia remains an icon of the power and perseverance of American women, and the adventurous spirit so essential to the American persona.