Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was a very courageous person, even in her early years. She proved to many people around the world that, for one thing, women try things just like men do. Another thing she proved to thousands of people worldwide was that you can do anything if you really want it and work hard for it. This set a fantastic example for lots of people who took part in her previous flights, loved ones, or just a regular person paying special interest in the amazing risks she took and incredibly completed. She was a great inspiration to many people in the past and continues to inspire those who hear about her remarkable life and flights throughout her lifetime.

Amelia Earhart as a young woman (http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/7635/7635.jpg)

Amelia Earhart was only 10 years old when she saw her very first airplane. She wasn't impressed. She ended up graduating from Hyde Park High School in 1915. Then she worked as a nurse's aide in a military hospital in Canada during World War I. After she attended college she became a social worker. She took her very first flying lesson on January 3, 1921. It took her 6 months to save enough money to buy her first plane. She named it "Canary" and used it to set her first women's record by rising to and altitude of 14,000 feet. Earhart joined Wilmer Stultz and Louis E. Gordon for a flight that would cross over the Atlantic. The flight made headlines worldwide. From then on, her life revolved around flying. Her life then began to include George Putnam; they developed a friendship during the preparation for the Atlantic crossing. They got married February 7, 1931. She referred to the marriage as a "partnership" with "dual control." They both worked on a secret plan for Earhart to make a solo trip across the Atlantic. May 20, 1932, she started her journey from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland to Paris. Strong North winds and mechanical problems forced her to land near Londonderry, Ireland. President Herbert Hoover presented her with a gold medal from the National Geographic Society. Amelia Earhart felt the flight proved men and women were equal in "jobs requiring intelligence, coordination, speed, coolness, and willpower." She still continued to break records. On January 11, 1935 she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific from Honolulu to Oakland, California. Later that year she was the first to solo from Mexico City to Newark. In 1937 when she neared her 40th birthday she was ready for one final challenge. She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world. On June 1st Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan departed from Miami and began the 29,000 mile journey. By June 29th when they landed in Lae, New Guinea all but 7,000 miles had been completed. The pair set off again on July 1st and flew into overcast skies and intermittent rain showers. Messages weren't getting sent as frequently as they were supposed to. Finally, at 8:45am Earhart reported "We are running North and South" and nothing further was heard from Earhart.

Amelia Earhart and her plane (http://www.daviddarling.info/images/Earhart.jpg)

On July 19th after spending $4 million and scouring 250,000 square miles of ocean, the government called off the operation hesitantly. In 1938 a lighthouse was constructed in her honor. She was remembered for her courage, vision, and groundbreaking achievements both in aviation and for women. In a letter to her husband written in case the dangerous flight proved to be her last, the brave spirit was evident, “Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. 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's bravery has taught me to take risks and to what I love to do. Her courage and determination was undeniable and I try to be more like her when I have a difficult challenge facing me that's hard to manage. Amelia Earhart's bravery and determination are hard to imitate because of its great value. Her absolutely amazing story has inspired many in the past and will continue to inspire those of us today.