I can’t help looking for tidbits of history — especially when there’s an Indiana connection.  Today, we have one.  On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared as she tried to fly around the world.  She wanted to be the first woman to do it. 

The Indiana connection is Earhart’s link to Purdue University.  She served as a career counselor for women students.  That was in the 1935 – 1936 school year.  Purdue says its president at that time hoped to attract more women to the university — and he hoped public respect for Earhart would be the attraction he sought.

An Earhart web site makes it clear that she knew the hazard of her final challenge.  The site says that’s why – before starting that flight — she wrote a letter to her husband. ”I want to do it,” she wrote, “because I want to do it.  Women must try to do things as men have tried.  When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.”

A new movie version of her story is in the works.  Hillary Swank will portray Earhart.  Here’s the trailer.