Amelia Earhart’s Younger Sister: Muriel Morrissey (1899-1998)
Photo: Steve Morse
Jessa performed the historical character of Amelia Earhart since 1992, performing mostly throughout New England, as well as several national venues.
In 2024, Jessa transitioned to performing Amelia’s younger sister, Muriel Morrissey (1899-1998). After graduation from Smith College in 1924, Muriel moved to Medford, Massachusetts, where she soon married and taught high school while raising two children. Upon retirement from teaching, Muriel was very active in her local community, and became a strong advocate for preserving her famous sister’s legacy.
Praise for Amelia Earhart / Muriel Morrissey
This program is set in 1963, when Muriel Morrissey (1899-1998) authored a biography of her famous sister, Amelia Earhart. This program runs for 35 minutes and there is also a Q&A portion at the end. Many articles, photos, and press clippings about Amelia Earhart will be on display for patrons to look at before and after the performance.
Amelia Earhart was a popular speaker on the national circuit prior to taking off on her 1937 around-the-world flight, and was lauded as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932. Amelia was Inspired at an early age by the suffragist movement. Both sisters closely identified with the generation of “the new woman.”
Our guide for this performance, Jessa Piaia, uses drama to reveal the accomplishments, struggles, and contributions of women to American history. Jessa is acclaimed for re-creating history in the fullest sense and for using solid research, compelling writing, and artistry to bring off a one-woman show. Jessa studied performance at London’s Oval House Theatre and graduated from UMASS Boston. She currently works at Harvard University. Research for this program began in 1992 and was conducted in the Amelia Earhart Collection at the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Cambridge, MA, the Microtext Department at the Boston Public Library, and the Amelia Earhart Branch Library in North Hollywood, CA.
-Kelsey Jurek, Library Technician, Athol Public Library
