Amelia Mary Earhart (/ËÉÉrhÉrt/ AIR-hart; July 24, 1897 â disappeared July 2, 1937) was an American aviation pioneer and author.[N 1] Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.[N 2] She received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for this record. She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots. Earhart joined the faculty of the Purdue University aviation department in 1935 as a visiting faculty member to counsel women on careers and help inspire others with her love for aviation. She was also a member of the National Woman’s Party, and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.
