PIONEERING WOMAN AMELIA EARHART FROM THE PRESIDENT.
ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN DELANO. 1882-1945. Typed Letter Signed ('Franklin D. Roosevelt') to Amelia Earhart congratulating her on her solo flight from Hawaii to California, noting the contributions of women throughout American history, 1 p, 225 x 178 mm, on The White House stationery, Washington, DC, January 18, 1935, folds, original presentation envelope from The White House, typed simply, 'Amelia Earhart/ Oakland, California.'
Provenance: Estate of Earhart scholars Elgen M. and Marie K. Long.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT CONGRATULATES EARHART ON HER SUCCESSFUL FIRST TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHT BY A WOMAN AND THE FIRST TRANSPACIFIC SOLO FLIGHT. Roosevelt's historic letter begins, 'You have scored again ... you have shown even the 'doubting Thomases' that aviation is a science which cannot be limited to men only.' He continues by comparing her to the female pioneers who were instrumental in the westward expansion of American civilization: 'The trail-blazers who opened to civilization the vast stretches of this Continent of ours, who moved our boundary from the Atlantic to the Pacific, were inspired and helped by women of courage and skill. From the days of these pioneers to the present era, women have marched step in step with men. And now, when air trails between our shores and those of our neighbors are being chartered, you, as a woman, have preserved and carried forward this precious tradition.'

Through the early 1930s the Roosevelts had become fast friends with Earhart based on her numerous accomplishments as an aviatrix on the world stage, and the strong connection with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt over the advancement of women's rights. The First Lady and the 'First Lady of Aviation' as Earhart was called were two of the most vocal and effective proponents of the women's movement of the 1930s, with Earhart employing her exploits and fame alongside Roosevelt's political power.

Earhart's groundbreaking journey took 18 hours and 17 minutes, and when she landed in Oakland she was greeted by a vigorous crowd of 5000 people. Before continuing on to Washington and a visit to the White House, she was feted at an honorary dinner in Oakland by President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover, as well as the Governor of California and the President of Stanford University, where this letter was first read. The Roosevelts would be supporters and partners in Earhart's next endeavors, particularly in her final voyage. In late 1936, Earhart wrote to FDR for assistance in her planning, explaining: 'Like previous flights, I am undertaking this one solely because I want to, and because I feel that women now and then have to do things to show what women can do.'

The fascinating and important letter remains a symbol of Earhart's remarkable feats, and her profound impact on the advancement of women's equality.