Amelia Earhart Statue Set To Be Unveiled In Congress

The United States Congress has a National Statuary Hall where all states of the United States are requested to donate two statues to honor legendary Americans of that state either in the Hall or around the Capitol. Kansas has decided to replace one of its two submissions - John James Ingalls - who coined the state's Ad Astra Per Aspera motto – with Amelia Earhart.

Why Amelia Earhart?

Amelia Earhart, 1898-1937, half-length portrait, standing with Mayor James Walker of New York holding roses

Amelia Earhart, 1898-1937, half-length portrait, standing with Mayor James Walker of New York
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Atchison, Kansas, was where Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897. Earhart is responsible for many firsts in aviation, believing that ‘The most effective way to do it, is to do it.' Below is a substantial list of Earhart’s firsts:

Flew the first flight out of Quincy, Massachusetts’ Dennison Airport
First lady to fly across the Atlantic Ocean
First lady to fly solo across the North American continent and back
First human to fly solo from Hawaii to the North American continent
First President of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization that persists today in promoting women in aviation
First lady to attempt a global circumnavigation that finished tragically

As per a statement of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation in Atchison, Kansas, the founder, and President Karen Seaberg stated;

“The time is long overdue for Amelia Earhart to take her rightful place in American history at the US Capitol. The new Amelia Earhart statue will stand as a symbol of her determination, tenacity, and courage that will inspire future generations — particularly women and girls.”

For Jacque Pregont, chair of the Amelia Earhart Statuary Hall Selection Committee and Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation board member leading the Earhart statue project since 2013, this is about celebrating equal opportunity and courage.

“Guided by Amelia’s legacy of determination and perseverance, we’re excited to finally bring Amelia Earhart to National Statuary Hall to honor her enduring influence as a pioneering American aviator who passionately championed equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender. Her fearless spirit was revolutionary, and her trailblazing life continues to be remarkably relevant today.”

Which statue is being replaced?

One should note that the statue of Amelia Earhart is to replace a statue of John James Ingalls. According to the Architect of the Capitol website, Ingalls was an abolitionist or activist against slavery at the state level in Kansas. Furthermore, during the American Civil War, Ingalls served as a judge advocate in the Kansas militia. Ironically, he was also an editor of the Atchison newspaper Freedom’s Champion. After that, Ignallis served as the United States Senator from Kansas – and as Senator was an anti-monopolist who won election to president pro tempore of the Senate - the senior presiding official.

All states are limited to submitting only two statues to the Statuary Hall. Kansas was also the first state to set a precedent for replacing statues. This precedent was set when replacing George Washington Glick, a Union soldier in the American Civil War, state legislator, and the first Democrat to be elected governor, with former US President and General Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower led the successful D-Day invasion and liberation of Europe to help conclude World War II.