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We’re often given explanations for our experience that don’t quite fit—and we live inside them anyway. This newsletter returns to those moments and stays with them long enough to find a more accurate account of what was actually at work.
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Amelia Earhart On Marriage as a Cage
Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved Amelia Earhart. I admired her singular commitment to her career, which was her passion, such that she worried marriage would keep her from flying and considered the institution “a cage.”
And while she did end up marrying—it took up to six proposals to convince her.
The wedding was as unromantic as it gets: she and publisher George Palmer Putnam married in the Lockheed aircraft factory in Burbank, Calif, and Earhart demanded there be no press announcement.
Even in the 1930s, the New York Times was pissing people off. Instead of respecting her wishes to not be called “Mrs. Putnam” after she and George married, they disregarded her.
And so, she had her say.
Despite the mild expression of my wishes, and those of G.P.P., I am constantly referred to as ‘Mrs. Putnam’ when the Times mentions me in its columns.
She wrote the Times and asked that they respect her as they do writers and actresses.
“I admit I have no principle to uphold in asking that I be called by my professional name in print. However, it is for many reasons more convenient for both of us to be simply ‘Amelia Earhart.’ After all (here may be a principle) I believe flyers should be permitted the same privileges as writers or actresses.”
A marriage made her nervous. She didn’t want to be locked down by anyone, nor did she want to be tied to just one person.
Her anxiety flared at the mere thought of it. She was, rightfully so, terrified it would interfere with her one true love—flying, and so, she wrote up her fears and thoughts, and in lieu of a pre-nuptial agreement, Amelia Earhart handed this letter to George Palmer Putnam on their wedding day.
How badass is that?
Until next week, I will remain,
Amanda
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