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Feminist Flyer: Amelia Earhart's Prenup Revealed!

BY Rachel Belle  on December 11, 2012 @ 1:51 pm (Updated: 3:40 pm - 12/11/12 )

Amelia-Rachel
Amelia Earhart is already known as a feminist icon, being the first female aviator to fly a solo transatlantic flight. But a glance at her 1930's prenuptial agreement, with George Putnam, shows that she was ahead of her time in the relationship department as well.

Rachel Belle, Ron and Don Show Reporter
Rachel Belle is a feature contributor and personality on The Ron & Don Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 3-7pm), and host of Ring My Belle Weekends (Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 3pm).
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Comments (32)


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  • Mavila wrote...
    I'm Still Waiting for Something Remotely Interesting from Belle
    December 11, 2012 5:42 pm
    That is not a prenuptial agreement, Ms. Belle.
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  • AprilMayJune wrote...
    Who, what, where, when why?
    December 11, 2012 7:06 pm
    When and where was this letter found? Where is it now located? I am a fan, but please give us some details. Thanks!
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  • Honus wrote...
    An Amelia fan?
    December 11, 2012 8:33 pm
    No, no, no...you should (if I may be so bold) admire Jackie Cochrane much more. She was a contemporary of Amelia, and more of a pioneer for women in aviation. The difference is that she was a phenomenol pilot who lived a full life, whereas Amelia was a mediocre pilot who bit off more than she could chew, and becme famous for dying young under mysterious circumstances. Here's a snippet from Wiki...in addition to being the first woman to break the sound barrier "Cochran was also the first woman to land and take off from an aircraft carrier, the first woman to reach Mach 2, the first woman to pilot a bomber across the North Atlantic (in 1941), the first pilot to make a blind (instrument) landing, the only woman ever to be President of the Federation Aeronautique International (1958–1961), the first woman to fly a fixed-wing, jet aircraft across the Atlantic, the first pilot to fly above 20,000 ft with an oxygen mask, and the first woman to enter the Bendix Transcontinental Race. She still holds more distance and speed records than any pilot living or dead, male or female." Reread that last sentence. Enough said. I believe.
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  • roomtemp wrote...
    Dear Amelia...
    December 11, 2012 10:15 pm
    Never mind... Have a nice flight.

    GPP

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  • GloScot wrote...
    Roomtemp...
    December 13, 2012 8:40 am
    My thoughts exactly. :) Amelia should have just added a postscript: GPP, I think I love you...but not that much if something better comes along. I guess if selfishness is empowered feminism then I say way to go, you have your reward.
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    honus
    December 13, 2012 6:42 pm
    I respect your admiration for your heroine Jackie, but her accomplishments were heavily subsidized and aided by more than the support Amelia had during her short life. Amelia certainly had all the money she needed to do what she did, but to criticize what she did is not proper and to call her a mediocre pilot is uncalled for. They both were unusual persons and deserve the respect they earned.
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  • Honus wrote...
    longwayhome
    December 14, 2012 11:37 pm
    I have to stand by what I said. I didn't criticize what Amelia did, I pointed out that another woman pilot of the era did orders of magnitude more, and isn't recognised for it. We all know the reason for that. I'm only doing my small part to rectify the situation. And Earhart was indeed a mediocre pilot. The facts speak for themselves.
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    mavila
    December 13, 2012 7:04 pm
    Are you intimidated by attractive, intelligent women? You seem to be quite discerning in your requirements for "newsworthy" articles. Rachel Belle is a breath of fresh air on an otherwise rainy day broadcast from, say, dorky munson.
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  • Mavila wrote...
    "Are you intimidated by attractive, intelligent women?"
    December 15, 2012 6:38 pm
    Rachel Belle? Really? You need to get out more.
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  • Moondoggie wrote...
    Longwayhome
    December 14, 2012 6:08 pm
    I don't think it's overboard to call out Amelia for not being a great pilot. The average pilot is average and Amelia was at best average. She was a great promoter and that was what made her famous before her ill-fated flight.
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  • 2boysmom wrote...
    Hardly breaking news
    December 14, 2012 8:54 pm
    Amelia's letter was written in February of 1931 in response to George Putnam's 6th marriage proposal. It was published at least as early as 1982 in the book "Letters from Amelia" by Jean Backus. Simply noting that the letter exists is hardly "news."
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    bill
    December 14, 2012 9:07 pm
    Don't quite understand the direction your post was going...I take it you actually listen to his 3 hours of drivel. Your choice of your own loss of time. You are taking the path of other posters on this site by criticism and empty comments such as matching wits or knowledge with monson....That's a hoot! dori monson is a has been. A conservative neanderthal. He should retire before KIRO does a Schrammie on him.
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    moondoggie
    December 14, 2012 9:32 pm
    I respect what she did and also respect Jackie Cochrane for her accomplishments. In that era it was very unusual for anyone to be doing what they did. They were flying (by our standards today) quite primitive aircraft with very little in the way of navigational aids. Amelia was not an "average pilot" as you suggest. The Lockheed Electra is not the easiest aircraft to fly, much less on a long endurance flight. She accomplished many flights and made many records, she should be recognized for those, not for her demise.
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    Bill
    December 16, 2012 8:00 pm
    Her first name was Amelia. With an "A" First class pilot, first class person. Her memory not to diminished by people like you sitting in front of your computer screen second guessing her life. When was the last time you stepped out of your envelope of security and did something different? Look at yourself, grasshopper, before you judge another. Trying to decide which car to drive to Albertsons because it's raining and it might snow in Sequim. Decisions, decisions, whatever will I do?
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