Famous Explorers BY ZAHRA AMELE TUNNEY Amelia Earhart

Famous Explorers BY ZAHRA AMELE TUNNEY

Amelia Earhart was the first woman aviator to fly by herself across the Atlantic. In 1937, she mysteriously disappeared after attempting to fly around the world. She has a very interesting story and I say you will like to learn about her.

Childhood Amelia Mary Earhart was born on the 24 th July 1897 in Atchison, Kansas, United States. Amelia’s nickname was Meely and her younger sister Grace’s nickname was Pidge. Amelia and Grace loved the outdoors and they would climb trees, hunt rats and capture worms in jars. Amelia loved to read as well, and would spend loads of time in the family library. As a child Amelia showed her adventurous spirit by building a homemade rollercoaster. However things didn’t always go to plan as the wooden box she was using broke and she was left with bumps and bruises. Amelia is said to have exclaimed to her sister “ Oh Pidge its just like flying.

Trying to become an aviator Amelia first flew a plane when her father paid $10 for a ten minute flight with a well known sky racer Frank Hawks. After this flight she realised she wanted to become an aviator more than anything. As an adult Amelia looked back on this day and said “I knew how to fly”. Amelia worked hard to pay money for her flying lessons. At that time it was hard for a woman to become an aviator so she decided to cut her hair short and wear a black leather jacket. Amelia’s first plane was a Kinner Airster Biplane which was nicknamed The Canary because it was bright yellow. She set a new record to be the first woman to fly above 14, 000 feet.

First Woman to travel over The Atlantic In 1928 she was chosen along other men to make the first flight across The Atlantic. However Amelia was not flying the plane she was being a navigator. Although the job was an important milestone and she became the first woman to travel across The Atlantic Amelia was disappointed in herself as she didn’t get to fly the plane herself. She was determined to fly across The Atlantic herself.

Amelia’s famous first flight On the morning of the 20 th of May 1932, Amelia flew from Newfoundland United States and landed in Derry Northern Ireland. The flight took 14 hours and 56 minutes and Amelia had to battle strong winds and mechanical problems arrive safely. To prove that she had done it she brought a copy of the local paper with her. Amelia became only the second person after Charles Lindberg to successfully fly across the Atlantic solo and she received many awards.

Amelia's Celebrity Status After her flights across the Atlantic, Amelia achieved ‘celebrity status’ and was crowned the “Queen of the Air” by newspapers. Amelia acted as the assistant manager for Cosmopolitan magazine. She also designed clothes aimed as the modern woman. Amelia was part of the National Woman's Party and a supporter of the equal rights movement.

Amelia’s adventure around the world After her successful flight and many others around the United States she decided to put her sights of becoming the first woman to fly across the world. Her first attempted failed due to mechanical problems. Amelia and her navigation team set off for their second attempt on the 2 nd of June 1937 from Lae in Papa New Guinea and were due to land in Howland Island that day. On the approach to Howland Island, radio transmissions between Amelia and the control tower showed that Amelia could not locate the landing strip. The plane never made it to Howland Island was has never been found. There has been many theories about Amelia's disappearance. One of them was that the plane crashed and went down into the ocean. Others believed that she landed on a small island called Nikumaroroas a castaway.

Amelia Earhart Quotes • The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward. • Never do things others can do and will do if there are things others cannot do or will not do. • Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a

Excellent Power. Point, Zahra! Great introduction slide- so creative! Great photos throughout. Audio with each slide-my first student ever to do that-amazing and a lovely touch! Very high standard of English throughout You clearly understood your content Inspiring! Great inspirational quotes A well-deserved