THE EARLY YEARS
Amelia Earhart’s love for adventure can be traced back to her childhood years. Born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, Earhart lead a life guided by her free spirit and her infatuation of unknown. During her youth, Earhart and her sister, Grace Muriel, always busied themselves with new endeavors. Amelia Earhart always looked for the excitement in an activity. There is one story of her sledding on a wintery day of her youth. Earhart sat at the top of a snowy hill sled in hand and launched herself down the hill. As she zipped down the icy slope she noticed a horse and carriage approaching her path. Instead of slowing down and turning out of the way, Earhart instead sped down the hill with a look of determination on her face as she rushed beneath the legs of the horse (2). This account of little Amelia Earhart shows her innate fearless attitude and passion for risky undertakings. By examining the adolescent Earhart, it is evident that her adoration of flying is displayed through her intrepid acts during her childhood.
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THE TEENAGE YEARS
During her teenage years, Earhart attended six different high schools due to her father’s job (1). Edwin Earhart was a struggling lawyer and alcoholic. His condition deeply affected Earhart and in response to their relationship, she never gave others the ability to have control over her emotions. Furthermore, to prevent her life from turning out similar to her childhood, Earhart worked to avoid the traditional female lifestyle (2). During the First World War, Earhart practiced her independence by becoming a nurse’s aid. She was deeply moved by the suffering of wounded soldiers returning home from the war so she focused her attention on caring for the injured soldiers in hospitals.
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THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
After her time in the hospital, she enrolled in Columbia University as a pre-medical student (1). Her decision to leave Colombia displays her confidence in herself and in her dreams. After a year at University, Earhart left and imprudently replied to an add in a magazine for a job at a settlement house. She began to work at the Denison House, where she taught English to immigrants. Earhart was intrigued by their culture and thought of her students as friends and not clients. Her independence and compassion shine through her work at the settlement house and her dedication to the people there (8). Amelia Earhart was always interested in the unknown and new experiences, which is it is no surprise that she was heavily involved in the Progressive Era. She broke the boundaries that constricted women by taking a five-week automobile mechanics course, which at the time was considered to be a male’s trade. Earhart pushed the boundaries further with her love for flying. She also attended an illegal Industrial Workers of the World Union meeting (8).
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