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Architects of the World - III

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was a famous aviator who set flying records

and aimed to fly around the world before disappearing.

Born on July 24, 1897, in Kansas, Amelia had a tough
childhood. Her father struggled with alcoholism, and the
family moved often. Amelia and her sister were bright,

loved poetry and sports, and were encouraged to explore
new things.

After school, she planned to go to college but chose to

study nursing after meeting WWI veterans. She worked as a nurse in Canada, became
a social worker, and taught English to immigrants. She also enjoyed watching airshows,
which inspired her to fly.

With her mother’s help, she raised $1,000 for flying lessons. After just 10 hours of
training and a few crashes, Amelia made her first solo flight in 1921. A year later, she
bought her own plane.

In 1928, Captain Railey invited her on a flight across the Atlantic. She became the first

woman to do so. In 1931, she married publisher George Putnam. In 1932, she flew solo
across the Atlantic in 13 hours and 30 minutes and received a medal from President
Hoover.

Her final journey began in June 1937 with navigator Fred Noonan in a twin-engine
plane. They flew from the U.S. to South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, but
disappeared on the way.

Her husband later wrote her biography Soaring Wings in 1939, celebrating her

adventurous spirit and courage.

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