Celebrating Amelia Earhart this January

Celebrating Amelia Earhart 11 January

Today, 11 January, Zonta International commemorates Amelia Earhart Day and the enduring legacy of the famed aviator and Zontian. Celebrating and uplifting women in STEM—particularly in the aerospace industry—is essential to advancing innovation, equity, and global progress. Despite their significant contributions, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, especially in aerospace engineering and space sciences, where persistent barriers to advancement, visibility, and recognition remain. Elevating women’s achievements in these disciplines not only honors individual excellence but also inspires future generations of girls to pursue careers in aerospace engineering and space sciences, strengthening the global talent pipeline in these highly specialized and groundbreaking fields.

Zonta International has long recognized the transformative power of women’s education and leadership in STEM fields. Each January, Zonta celebrates Amelia Earhart Month in honor of Zontian Amelia Earhart, whose legacy as a trailblazing aviator and advocate for women continues to inspire curiosity, courage and ambition. Through this annual observance, Zonta underscores the importance of women’s participation in aerospace sciences and reaffirms its commitment to gender equality in fields that shape the future of our world.

Since 1938, Zonta has awarded the Amelia Earhart Fellowship to almost 1,800 exceptional women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences and engineering. These fellows represent a global community of innovators whose research advances space exploration, climate science, and emerging technologies. By celebrating their achievements during Amelia Earhart Month, Zonta honors a historic legacy while amplifying the voices of women today who continue to redefine what is possible in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

Please join the global Zonta International community for the Amelia Earhart Month celebration on 26 January, featuring three past Amelia Earhart Fellows from three different generations. This special “Day in the Life of an AE Fellow” event will offer personal insights into how the fellowship shaped their careers and the paths their professional journeys have taken. If you can’t join us for the event, but want to support our trailblazing Amelia Earhart Fellows, please make a donation to the Zonta Foundation for Women Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund or Amelia Earhart Fellowship Endowment Fund.

11 JANUARY 2026