A = Amelia Earhart

Mystery still surrounds the famous flier but what was truly amazing was her life.

Amelia Earhart was the daughter of a lawyer who worked for the railroad and the granddaughter of a federal judge. She and her sister were schooled at home by their mother and a governess until she entered the seventh grade.

Throughout her childhood, the Earhart family experienced separation with subsequent reunions as a result of her father’s employment status. Amelia developed independence not common in women of her status. She collected news clippings of successful women who triumphed in male-dominated fields.

After Charles Lindbergh’s flight in 1927, Amelia Earhart was asked to participate as the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. Of course, she accepted the proposal for the 1928 flight. Upon her arrival in Southampton, she was greeted by the Mayor Mrs. Foster Welch. It seemed that Amelia was surrounded by strong women.

Having previously met, George Putnam of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Amelia wrote and promoted several books when she returned. It was not surprising when Putnam divorced his wife in 1928 to marry Earhart in 1929.

With her increasing notoriety, Earhart became the spokeswoman for clothing and luggage lines sold at Macy’s. She was invited to meetings with US Presidents and used her fame to promote aviation, especially women’s flight endurance racing.

Interested in reading more about Amelia Earhart? Go to http://www.ameliaearhart.com/