"The cross country air derby for women . . . was generally called the 'powder puff derby' and those who flew in it variously as 'Ladybirds', 'Angels' or 'Sweethearts of the Air'. (We are still trying to get ourselves called just 'pilots'.)" -- pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart, from her book "The Fun of It" (1932). Earhart (7-24-1897 -- 1-5-1939 declared dead) made the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean ninety-one years ago today in her Lockheed Vega 5B single engine plane. For that monumental achievement, Earhart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Legion of Honor, among other recognition. A true feminist, she was an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment and an advocate for what we now call "STEM" education for women. Her iconic status during her life only grew with the mystery end of her world-circling flight, disappearing in the South Pacific in July, 1937, setting off a decades-long search for her and ultimately the wreckage.
(photo: The Life Collection via Getty Images)
