Women's History Month: Who is Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (1892-1926)

 

First African American Pilot

“The sky is the only place there is no prejudice. Up there, everyone is equal, everyone is free.” Elizabeth Coleman

Born to African American and Native American sharecropper parents in 1892 Texas, Elizabeth, Bessie, fought for her chance to become an aviator. (video)

In her twenties, she became interested in flying thanks to WW1 returning soldiers' heroic stories.   In a deeply segregated U.S., she could find no pilot to train her, even those who were black.  Her brother, newly returned from war, entertained her with stories of the many opportunities for women in France, one of which was pilot training.  As this seemed to be her only hope, she set her sights on France.

Bessie began her journey by learning French.  Along with her savings and financial backing from the African-American community, she left for France in 1920.  By 1921, she accomplished her goal and became the first American woman who earned an International Pilot's License—well before Amelia Earhart.  Realizing that she needed even more skills to earn a living flying she continued her studies in France, Holland and Germany. 

With her extensive training, she finally found work in air shows as a stunt pilot, but it didn't pay much.  One of her biggest obstacles was that she had no plane of her own, which limited her options.   In fact, her next big goal was to open a flight school that accepts everyone.  Not able to purchase a quality plane, her first crashed resulting in many months of recuperation. 

Once healed, she returned to performing in-air shows.  She also lectured and opened a beauty shop – she was a trained manicurist – to earn enough to purchase another plane.  Unfortunately, someone left a wrench in the engine causing it to crash during a practice run. 

Queen Bessie, as she was now known, died that day, but her accomplishments continue to inspire other young women.   For example, Mae Jemison – first black woman astronaut – stated in her book, Queen Bess: Daredevil Aviator, "I point to Bessie Coleman and say without hesitation that here is a woman, a being, who exemplifies and serves as a model to all humanity: the very definition of strength, dignity, courage, integrity, and beauty. It looks like a good day for flying.”

Please Read

Black History Month: General Benjamin O. Davis Jr

Black History Month: Robert S. Abbott

Women’s History Month: Annie Bidwell (1839 – 1918)