ssfully flown solo across the Atlantic Ocean since CharlesLindbergh. Amelia decided she would be the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic. She would not duplicate Lindberghs course, but would fly from Harbour Grace,Newfoundland and the British Isles would be her destination. On May 20, 1932, exactly five years after the Lindbergh flight, Amelias modifiedLockheed Vega began the journey. Since she did not drink coffee or tea, she would keepawake by using smelling salts. All she took with her to eat and drink on this trip waswater, soup, and tomato juice. Amelia broke several records on this flight. She was thefirst woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean solo, the only person to fly it twice, it was thelongest non-stop distance flown by a woman, and the flight set a record for crossing theAtlantic in the shortest time.When Amelia returned to New York after her famous flight, she was honored by aticker tape parade. President Roosevelt presented her with the Special Gold Medal fromthe National Geographic Society. Honors of all kinds were given to Amelia, as well askeys to many cities in the United States. The United States Congress awarded her withthe Distinguished Flying Cross. Amelia was voted as Woman of the Year which sheaccepted on behalf of all women.Amelias next venture would be a transpacific flight from Hawaii to California,then on the Washington D.C. Ten pilots had already lost their lives attempting thiscrossing. She departed Wheeler Field in Honolulu and landed in Oakland, California to acheering crowd of thousands. After this flight, Amelia was busy on the road almostnon-stop with her lecture tours. During this time, she accepted an appointment at PurdueUniversity in Indiana. She would be a consultant in the Department for the Study ofCareers for Women.Later in 1935, Amelia began to make plans for an around the world flight. Thisflight would be two major firsts. She would be the first woman to fly around the ...
