Amelia Earhart was a person.
Amelia Mary Earhart ( [ ˈɛərhɑrt ] July 24 , 1897 -- disappeared July 2 , 1937 ) was an American aviation pioneer and author . Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean . She received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for this accomplishment . She set many other records , wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines , an organization for female pilots . She was also a member of the National Woman 's Party and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment .