Amelia Earhart, born on July 24, 1897, in Kansas, was an adventurous spirit from a young age. After a life-changing plane ride in 1920, she became determined to learn to fly, taking on various jobs—including working as a nurse’s aide and social worker—to save enough money for flying lessons, which cost $1,000. Within six months of starting her lessons, she purchased her own plane and set a record for female pilots by flying up to 14,000 feet. Earhart became the sixteenth woman to earn a pilot’s license and participated as a co-pilot in a transatlantic flight in 1928. Her notable achievements continued, and in 1938, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, earning accolades like the Distinguished Flying Cross from Congress.
As she neared her fortieth birthday, Amelia planned her most ambitious endeavor: a flight around the world. A first attempt was unsuccessful, resulting in a damaged plane, but Earhart's determination led her to try again. She managed to cover 7,000 miles to New Guinea before her plane disappeared on the journey to Howland Island. Despite extensive search efforts, she was never found. Earhart is remembered and celebrated for her bravery, persistence, and significant contributions to aviation history.