Earhart

Earhart is a surname. The most prominent bearer is Amelia Mary Earhart (1897–1939), an American aviator and advocate for women in aviation. Her career helped expand opportunities for women in flight and raised public interest in air travel.

In 1932, Earhart became the first woman to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, completing the flight from Newfoundland to Ireland. She had already gained fame as a pioneering aviator and public speaker on aviation and women’s rights, and she contributed to the broader visibility of female pilots.

In 1929, Earhart co-founded The Ninety-Nines, an international organization for female pilots that continues to operate as a professional network and advocacy group.

In 1937, Earhart undertook an ambitious attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a Lockheed Model 10-E Electra with navigator Fred Noonan. The aircraft disappeared over the central Pacific near Howland Island during the flight, and neither Earhart nor Noonan was ever found. A large search was conducted, but the disappearance remained unsolved and is one of the enduring mysteries of early aviation.

Legacy: Earhart’s legacy extends beyond aviation. She is widely remembered for breaking gender barriers and inspiring generations of pilots and scientists. Numerous scholarships, museums, and institutions honor her contributions to flight, exploration, and women in STEM.