Purdue Archives: A Conversation with Sammie Morris

Chasing Earhart

“There’s no doubt in my mind that because of the status that Earhart had in her lifetime; she opened people’s minds. People that probably had never had anyone encourage them to have a career outside of the home. She was able to do that for women. People still pick up on that love she had for empowering other women. This is why we get two-year-old girls in the archives with pilot’s outfits who already have Amelia Earhart as their hero.”

Of all the aspects of her storied career, perhaps the one that Amelia Earhart coveted most was her relationship with Purdue University. Lasting only a precious short time, Amelia saw her role with Purdue as the second chapter in her already historic aviation career. Poised to make a monumental impact on women in the early days of what would become the STEM movement, Amelia built relationships and made an impact that still resonates through the halls of Purdue to this very day.

Known as the largest Amelia Earhart archival collection on the planet, the Purdue archives has been visited by everyone who is anyone in the Earhart community. The most cited resource in the over 400 Amelia Earhart books that currently sit on the market, authors, educators, researchers and fans continue to visit the archive every day to get a sneak peek into the life of one of America’s biggest icons.

Tonight, on the 61st episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, we are joined by project guest and professor Sammie Morris of Purdue University via Zoom to break down and discuss the Amelia Earhart Collection, Amelia’s relationship with Purdue and why Amelia’s prescience and influence can still be felt throughout the campus, and all who attend there.