Bessie Coleman

By Jessica and Anna

Early Life

From working in a cotton field as a child, then to becoming the world’s first Black American woman to obtain a pilot’s license, Bessie Coleman was born January 26th 1892 in Atlanta, Texas. She had 12 siblings and 2 parents named Susan and George.

Afterwards, at 23 years old, Coleman moved to Chicago and became a manicurist. It was at this time that she began listening to stories of World War I pilots, told by her brothers who served in the military, which got her interested in aviation.

Challenges and Obstacles

Not long after, her brother John told her something which motivated Bessie to become a pilot, by saying “I know something that French woman can do and you can’t. Fly.” Because of this, she switched jobs from being a manicurist to become a restaurant manager, making more money, for the new goal she had.

The aviatrix learned French to be able to go to aviation school’s in France. Why? None of the schools of Aviation in America would accept her because she was of a different colour. Bessie continued to push forward even through all the hardships she faced, and all the discrimination she had to endure. In the end, this payed off. She was accepted into the Caudron Brother’s school of Aviation and on June 15, 1921, Coleman got her international pilot’s license, becoming the first African-American woman in the world to do so.

Career, job details & accomplishments

Bessie Coleman quickly soared into the sky, physically as an aviatrix and metaphorically, in terms of reaching her dreams. During her pilot career, Bessie was famous for doing tricks like loop the loops and doing figure 8’s in the sky.

Furthermore, the aviatrix toured the country and gave many speeches. Bessie would only perform if crowds were desegregated. She gave lectures to raise money for an African-American flying school, and she encouraged more women and African-Americans to learn how to fly.

Death and Accomplishments

Unfortunately, her accomplishing life came to an end on April 30th, 1926, at 34 years old. When Bessie was taking a test flight with a mechanic, a loose wrench got stuck in the engine. She was not wearing a seatbelt, and tragically fell to her death. Though she is no longer here, her legacy is. For example, during 1931, the Pilot’s association of Chicago started a tradition of flying over Bessie’s grave yearly. In 1977, African American women formed the Bessie Coleman Aviator’s club. On April 27th, 1995, Coleman got her own 32c stamp in the Black Heritage commemorative series. And in 2021, a mountain / possible volcano on Pluto was named Coleman Mons in her honor — these is only small portion of what people honored her with.

Quotes

“You’ve never lived till you’ve flown.”

“I made my mind up to try, I tried and was successful.”

“If I can create the minimum of my plans and desires, there shall be no regrets.”

“I didn’t take no for an answer.”

"The air is the only place free from prejudice."

-Bessie Coleman

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bessie Coleman inspired the whole world with everything she’s done, by never giving up when people denied her, didn’t support her or didn’t believe in her.
She proved every one of those people wrong. She was and is still truly a role model to everyone who has a dream they want to achieve, no matter who they are.

Trivia Questions

1. What was Bessie Coleman famous for?
2. Which country did Coleman attend an aviation school in? America or France?
3. Where was she born?
4. How many siblings did she have?
5. How old was she when she died?

Thank you for listening!