By Tim Binnall
A Texas city is set to celebrate its connection to Amelia Earhart by way of a bronze sculpture of the pioneering pilot that will be unveiled next month. During a 1929 visit to the community of Brownsville, the famed aviator became just the fourth woman in America to acquire a commercial pilot's license. In recognition of that landmark moment in her legendary life, the Dean Porter Park Renovation Committee reportedly acquired a sculpture of Earhart that was crafted by artist Gary Lee Price back in 2018.
The 52-inch-tall piece depicting the aviator sitting on a bench includes an engraving of the Earhart quote "Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?" Aiming to raise community awareness of the pilot's ties to Brownsville and her remarkable legacy, the project will also include a campaign dubbed 'Advocates for Amelia' that will coordinate events and activities with schools and other local institutions to "help spread the word about Earhart’s accomplishments." The sculpture will be unveiled at a ceremony on April 9th at the city's Dean Porter Park.