A statue of Amelia Earhart made its debut in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall on Wednesday.
Every state has its pick of two local figures to display in the Statuary Hall, formerly the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Kansas has elected Earhart as its newest addition.
Earhart is one of 11 female statues in the hall and one of 14 female statues and busts throughout the entire Capitol. This statue replaced that of former Sen. John James Ingalls, who is credited with creating the state motto and seal, which had been there since 1905.
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I want to thank our Congressional leaders and our Kansas delegation for the opportunity to honor one of Kansas’ most iconic figures – Amelia Earhart – a woman who showed us what it means to reach for the stars. This statue will serve as an inspiration for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/PFfDOXsHGN
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) July 27, 2022
“I want to thank our Congressional leaders and Kansas delegation for the opportunity to honor one of Kansas’ most iconic figures — Amelia Earhart — a woman who showed us what it means to reach for the stars,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly tweeted. “This statue will serve as an inspiration for generations to come.”
“You know, female pilots used to be called ‘ladybirds,’ ‘sweethearts of the air,’ and because of Amelia Earhart, back then, now, and into the future, women who fly planes are now called ‘pilots,'” Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) said at the unveiling.
The statue was created by brothers George and Mark Lundeen and took seven years to finish. The project was sponsored by the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, Blue Origin, Spirit AeroSystems, Airbus Americas, and other companies in the air travel industry. Earhart wears a bomber jacket, and her hair appears to be blowing in the wind. On the pedestal, the words “First Woman to fly solo across the Atlantic” are engraved.
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In commemoration of the statue’s unveiling, Kansas Air National Guard played the national anthem, and those in attendance recited the pledge of allegiance. The celebration came weeks after Earhart’s 85th anniversary of her mysterious disappearance at 39. She was accompanied by navigator Fred Noonan at the time.
Florida also made a female addition to Statuary Hall this year, adding Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who was a teacher, civil rights activist, and presidential adviser. Bethune is the only black person featured in the hall.
