“‘Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace with yourself.”

These are the words of Amelia Earhart

1 Identify a WOMAN who has made a notable contribution in her field.  She must be alive because you have to speak with her.

2 Invite this woman to participate in an informal interview.

3 Assure the woman that the interview will be confidential.

Conduct the interview, using the following questions:

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

• Where and when was she born?

• What was her life like as a child and young adult? (Describe important aspects of family life, education, pastimes, etc.)

• What aspects of her early life may have led her to her chosen field of study?

• What was her personal life like as an adult? Did she marry? Did she have children? What type of person was she?

ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT

• At what point did she decide to go into her chosen field?

• How did she prepare for this field?

• Who were important career and/or non-career role models?

• What contributions did she make to this field and to the larger society?

• In what way or ways has her work and achievements impacted society? Provide specific examples.

• Does she have any regrets about her career?

• Does she have any wishes for her future career?

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

{Summarize and reflect on the content of your biographical interview}

• What is one thing that you would like everyone to know about this “notable woman?”

• What do you think was her most impressive achievement, and why?

• How has this woman inspired you? In what ways would you like to be her?