Gaining Fame

Charles Lindbergh made his famous solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. That feat stirred heiress Amy Phipps Guest to strive to be the first woman to make that flight. She bought an air­plane, but her family would not permit her to make the trip. Determined to see a woman achieve her goal, Guest asked publisher George Palmer Putnam to help her find someone who was willing and able to do so.

Earhart was recommended to Put­nam, who took a liking to her. (Later, the two were married.) Earhart later recalled her feelings when offered the chance to take part: “How could I refuse such a shining adventure!”

The flight took place on June 4, 1928. Earhart did none of the flying— two male pilots handled that chore. But the mere fact of her having been the first woman to cross the ocean gained her fame. She was heralded as “Lady Lindy” and treated to parades and banquets.

Earhart was determined to use her fame to promote flying for women. In 1929 she helped lead the effort to found an organization, the Ninety-Nines, which aimed to bring more women into aviation. The group’s name came from

the fact that it included ninety-nine of the 117 American women who held pilot’s licenses at the time.