Leadership Essay
October 11, 2013

“Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others.” These are the words of the esteemed and respected leader, Amelia Earhart. Amelia was the first women to cross the Atlantic ocean by plane. She started challenging gender stereotypes early in life. I chose Amelia Earhart as a leader to write about because she is so inspiring to other women, proving that they really can do anything they put their heart and mind to. She was not afraid of what other people said or thought about her desire to fly. She was a courageous, adventurous, bold leader who inspired many people. Amelia was born July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. She spent most of her childhood at her grandparents house with her younger sister. She witnessed the struggles and sacrifices her parents went through financially and emotionally. After her parents divorced, Amelia said she would be an independent woman and would never have to rely on a man for help or support. Amelia supported herself financially as a nurse’s aide in the military during WW1 then as a social worker later in Boston. Before and while she was flying, Amelia was also a teacher, a magazine editor, a writer, and a fashion designer. With her hard earned money, she was able to purchase her first plane in which she called “Canary”. In 1932, Amelia became the first woman and only the second person to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. After her solo flight, Amelia was determined to challenge other women to push themselves, and the boundaries of what they could accomplish. She was very encouraging and inspiring to other women at this point. She had great determination and respect by others.
Amelia radiates the message that we are all capable of doing whatever we set our minds to. She was the symbol of excitement, adventure, and daring. When it comes to someone trying to achieve their goals in life, Amelia’s message still stands true today: “The sky’s the limit”. Amelia was a leader in women’s rights and aviation. She demonstrated that she was as capable a pilot as any man. She was an inspiration to those who faced the unknown. Amelia was known to be a charismatic leader because she was charming and possessed a charismatic appeal. She displayed self confidence and had great confidence in others. She had great positive and powerful effects on people. Amelia was a collaborative leader by building relationships with others who helped her along the way. She built relationships with other women to encourage and inspire