Shana Wilson

Artist Statement

Title: Amelia Earhart

Attending an air show in her late teens, Amelia was immediately fascinated with air travel. Defying suffocating conventional pressures, she pursued her dream and took her first lesson in 1921. Given the rickety nature of early planes, this was a courageous path to follow. Eventually she purchased her first bright yellow plane and named it “The Canary”, which she used to set many records. Ultimately, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She followed this as the first woman to fly solo from Honolulu to California. On July 2, 1937, while attempting to become the first woman to circumnavigate the earth, Amelia perished. In her last transmission, after indicating she was short of fuel on the most difficult leg of the journey, Earhart reported, “We are running north and south.” Nothing further was heard from her. Gone too soon, we thank you Amelia for taking to the skies, paving the way for many women to follow. Original piece is charcoal and oil on a 5ft tall canvas.

About the Artist

I paint to ensure legacies are discovered, celebrated, and remembered. To right the balance of the way women are portrayed in HERstory. It is not my story I wish to share, but theirs:

Serena Ryder is multi-platinum recording artist who uses her powerful voice for philanthropy and mental wellness, including the song that accompanies my digital version.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, responsible for ground breaking legislation including making it unlawful to gender discriminate.

Gloria Steinem is a leader of the American equality movement, an author, activist, speaker, producer, and co-founder of Ms. Magazine.

Buffy Sainte-Marie was blacklisted, won an Academy Award for songwriting, is a tireless advocate for indigenous rights, and was the first woman to breastfeed on national tv.

Zaha Hadid elevated design to swooping new heights and was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Kat Graham, actress, producer, dancer, singer, and activist, is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR Refugee Agency and a member of GLAAD.

Hazel Ying Lee became the first Chinese-American woman to fly for the US Air Force with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

Carole Pope is one of the first openly lesbian lead singers to achieve mainstream fame.

Mary Seacole independently set up the “British Hotel” behind the lines of the Crimean War to nurse the wounded.

Jane Goodall is the foremost expert on chimpanzees and a global force for conservation and animal welfare.

Golden Drake bested a fierce beast, bares her scars to encourage acceptance, and helps others facing difficult journeys.

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to US congress and to run as a Presidential candidate for a leading political party.

Deb Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a US Cabinet secretary.

Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, among many other records.

Katherine Graham was a publisher, author and newspaper magnate.

Marian Moneymaker, at 65, created acceptance of mature women in fashion.

Cecily Brown is a force in contemporary art, with work in major museums and galleries worldwide.

Diane von Fürstenberg created the iconic brand DVF and its wrap dress, supports nonprofits, and advocates for women in leadership.

Amika George founded @FreePeriods, inspiring a movement for menstrual support to ensure no girl misses school and no woman misses out on life.

Lady Diana changed the British monarchy with her unconventional and personal approach to charity work, including supporting AIDS patients and advocating for land mine removal.

Maria Toorpakai Wazir masqueraded as a boy to participate in competitive sports as a Muslim girl. Upon discovery and threat of death, she hid for three years until escaping to Canada to become a world ranked squash player and advocate for girls in sport.

Mei Xu is the founder and CEO of three global companies, using her resources to support woman-owned businesses.

Anita Hill stood up to sexual harassment long before the support of the #metoo movement, paving the way for women to speak out.

@ShanaWilsonArtist | @ShanaWilsonArt | www.shanawilsonartist.com

View on OpenSea here.

Contact us at letters@time.com.