1896—Born in Atchison, Kansas. Known as a tomboy and nicknamed “Pidge.” Homeschooled until age 12.
1909—Just six years after the Wright brothers’ first flight, Amelia sees an airplane for the first time.
1915—Graduates from public high school in Chicago, Illinois.
1917—Amelia trains with the Red Cross as a volunteer nurse treating wounded World War I soldiers.
1921—Enrolls for a year in university classes to become a medical student, experiences her first airplane ride, and becomes interested in flying. She completes flying lessons and buys her first plane, a Kinner Airster she names “The Canary.”
1922—Sets world record for altitude by a female pilot: 14,000 feet. The next year, she becomes one of only a handful of women to receive an international pilot license.
1927—Mounting bills force Amelia to sell The Canary and take jobs as a teacher and then as a social worker. She gains respect and fame for her involvement in aviation.
1928—Rides with two pilots as a passenger on a historic flight across the Atlantic. She becomes a celebrity, writing a book about the flight, making a solo flight across the United States and back, and promoting products.
1929—Buys a Lockheed Vega plane. Places 3rd in a women’s flying race. Later sets a speed record for women pilots: 181 mph.
1931—Becomes leader of an organization for women pilots. Marries George Putnam and flies coast to coast in an autogyro (early helicopter).
1932—Begins earning fame and awards for being the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic, then first to cross the USA non-stop, and publishing her book, The Fun of It.
1933—Competes in National Air Races. Starts her own line of clothing fashions.
1935—Makes historic flights, including becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean.
1936—Purdue University gives her the money for a Lockheed Electra 10E, the plane she will attempt to take round-the-world.
1937—Begins her famous flight.
For more about brave tomboys, see Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink in our Recommended Reading.
