Oceans to Cross

Because Amelia Earhart conquered the skies before women even conquered the vote, she continues to make the impossible possible. Everyone, women and men, will find strength in these pages. – Gloria SteinemAmy Kleppner provides details and family lore that personalize the remarkable life of her aunt, Amelia Earhart. – Dorothy Cochrane, curator, Smithsonian Air and Space MuseumA rare glimpse into Amelia Earhart’s personal story of courage and determination. – Major General Jeannie Leavitt, US Air Force (Ret.)An exciting biography that tells the story of Earhart’s lifelong dedication to raising women’s sights. – Susan Butler, author, East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia EarhartAmy Kleppner’s book is a beautiful tribute to Atchison’s favorite daughter, Amelia Earhart, her fight for women’s rights, and her influence on the women she inspired both then and now. – Karen Cray Seaberg, president and founder, Atchison Amelia Earhart FoundationIn this book, we can all draw inspiration from Earhart’s rare ability to envision a better future and turn every setback into a challenge to do better, fly higher, and change the game. – US Representative Sharice Davids (Kansas)Amelia Earhart’s life is beautifully recounted by Amy Kleppner, interspersed with personal photographs and cherished memories. Earhart stands as a beacon of leadership and a role model for all who dare to follow their own unique path. – Commander Elizabeth Young, US Coast Guard (Ret.)A fascinating and heartfelt journey into Amelia Earhart’s life, rich with details and perspectives, told by someone who knew her best—her niece. – Robin Hadfield, president, The Ninety-NinesThis book is inspiring. – Mika Schrader, director, Amelia Earhart Birthplace MuseumOceans to Cross is a compelling biography, balancing Earhart’s passion for flight and women’s rights. – Mary Shipko, pioneering female commercial airline pilotThis new book gives us fresh insights into Amelia Earhart’s life and her undeniable commitment to advancing women’s rights. – Marisa Kelly, PhD, president, Suffolk UniversityWhile she is best known for pioneering aviation for women, I learned that she was so much more. Her brave fight to determine her own destiny and promote the rights of women made me wish that I could sit down and talk with her—and personally thank her for her efforts. – Dr. Christine DiBlasio, USA Today 2024 Vermont Woman of the YearThis book sheds light on Amelia Earhart’s tireless advocacy for equality for women, told through the eyes of her niece, Amy Kleppner. – Terri Donner, Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame inducteeIn these pages, Amelia Earhart’s bravery, audacity, and fight for equality shine as brightly as her aviation triumphs, elevating the story too often overshadowed by the mystery of her disappearance. This biography beautifully captures the fervor and tenacity with which Amelia embraced life. – Beth White, founder, director, and pilot in command, Habitat for AviationOceans to Cross is a delightful adventure that inspires and resonates with women today. Bravo! – Captain Martha LaGuardia-Kotite, US Coast Guard (Ret.), and award-winning author of So Others May Live: Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death, and Changing the Rules of Engagement: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Leadership from Women in the Military

Amy M. Kleppner (1931-2024) was a lifelong educator, starting as a college professor of philosophy at Wellesley College, Howard University, and the University of Maryland, and then as a high school teacher for 40 years. As the last member of the Earhart family who personally knew Amelia, and as the steward of the Earhart estate, Amy was a seasoned public speaker who spent much of her adult life answering questions for authors, students, and film and TV show producers about her aunt.