Salute To Iconic Women: Amelia Earhart

March 22 2013, Published 3:00 a.m. ET

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward.” –Amelia Earhart

Occupation: Pilot

How she made her mark: In 1928 Amelia Earhart became the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She’s also the first person to fly across both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Earhart discovered her passion for flying during a brief moment on a 10 minute flight at an air show. As soon as she was 200 feet above the ground, she’s said something just clicked and she knew she “had to fly.” She set out to make a name for herself in aviation breaking several barriers and accomplishing many firsts for women. She’s the 16th woman to be issued a pilot’s license. While her life and accomplishments are very and courageous and inspiring, her story remains open ended. She disappeared in 1937 during a flight across the Pacific Ocean.

Which iconic woman who made history inspires you?

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By: Rhonesha Byng

Rhonesha Byng is the founder and CEO of Her Agenda— a digital media platform bridging the gap between ambition and achievement for millennial women. The site provides access to content and community that gives millennial women access to information and inspiration to help them get started or to move to the next level of their career. Rhonesha is an Emmy award-winning journalist and entrepreneur whose philosophy in life is established by her acronym of N.E.S.H.A. No one Ever Slows Her Agenda. This motto served as the inspiration for Her Agenda. Rhonesha was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and ESSENCE magazine named her among 50 Founders To Watch. Rhonesha is also the co-founder of the newly formed nonprofit org The Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI).