Mary Anita “Neta” Snook was born on February 14, 1896, in the small northeast Illinois town of Mount Carroll. As far back as she could remember, she had an interest in all things mechanical and was considered a prodigy. Little did she know, this interest would put her in a position to teach the woman who would become the most famous female pilot in history, Amelia Earhart. This little-known family story brings the friendship of Neta Snook Southern and Amelia Earhart to light.