This story is about American pilot Amelia Earhart. She was a courageous woman who made great achievements in the field of aviation and for women's rights. Among her many accomplishments, she was the first woman to successfully fly across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 

Amelia Earhart

“I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” 

- Amelia Earhart

Amelia's Younger Years

My name is Amelia Earhart. I was born on July 24th, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. When I was a young girl my litter sister Muriel and I lived with our grandparents. Our father Edwin Earhart worked for the Rock Island Railroad; He was a very busy lawyer. My mother Amy Otis always encouraged me to be my true self, she was my biggest supporter.

“Preparation, I have often said, is rightly two-thirds of any venture.”

- Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum Marker.

Amelia Sees Her First Airplane

When I was 10 years old my father took me to the 1909, Iowa State Fair. Today, was the day I got to see my first aircraft, what an amazing sight it was! From that day on I dreamed of flying an aircraft of my very own.

- "Scene on Midway, State Fair Grounds, Des Moines, Iowa", postcard.

Amelia Becomes a Nurse

When I got older, I graduated high school and attended college. I was very smart and always studied. But I knew I wanted to help people and I craved adventure. In 1917, I joined the Red Cross and volunteered as a nurse to treat soldier's wounds during World War I. 

“Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense.” 

- Amelia Earhart

"Be a Trained Nurse", World War 1 Propaganda Poster.

Amelia Buys Her First Airplane

I enjoyed helping people as a nurse so, I became a medical student. After one year, I left university to live with my parents in Los Angeles, California. In 1920, I went to my first air show, where I met pilot Frank Hawks.  He took me on my very first flight, it was fantastic! Since then, I knew I wanted to be a pilot! So, I took flying lessons and bought "The Canary", my first airplane.  

“The woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune.” “It is far easier to start something than it is to finish it.” 

-Amelia Earhart

"Frank Hawks", Illustrated Newspaper Feature.

Amelia Becomes a Pilot

Aviation was an expensive hobby, but I didn't let that stop me! I worked many different jobs, as a file clerk, a photographer, an office assistant, and even a truck driver. When I wasn't working, I was practicing my flying. I got so good, I even broke the world record altitude by a female pilot of 14,000 ft, in 1922. My instructor Neta Snook helped me become the 16th women ever to receive an international pilot license, in 1923.

“Never do things others can do and will do, if there are things others cannot do or will not do.”     -Amelia Earhart

"Amelia Earhart's Pilot License" 

The First Woman to Fly Across the Atlantic

I became increasingly popular for my aviation skills. In 1928, pilot Wilmer Stultz invited me to join his crew in a big flight across the Atlantic Ocean. We flew from Newfoundland to Wales. This flight made me the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. I wanted to share with the world my experience so, I became an author and wrote books including, "20 hrs., 40 mins.", "For the Fun of it", and "The Last Flight".

"20 hrs., 40 mins.", "For the Fun of it", and "The Last Flight", books by Amelia Earhart.

Amelia Breaks Records

I was able to save up some money and buy a new aircraft, The Lockhead Model 5B Vega, in 1929. I was becoming increasingly noticed for my historic flights and aviation skills, but I didn't let the fame get to my head. I kept perfecting my craft. I broke the speed record for women pilots with a speed of 181 mph!

"The Lockhead Model 5B Vega", Amelia's aircraft.