Born: 1892 (Atlanta, Texas)
Died: 1926 (Jacksonville, Florida)
Biography:
Bessie Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) was an early American civil aviator who overcame numerous barriers to become a pioneering figure in aviation. She is best known for being the first African-American woman and the first Native American to hold a pilot license. Coleman’s groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of women and people of color in the field of aviation.
Born to a family of sharecroppers in Atlanta, Texas, Coleman grew up in a time when opportunities for African Americans, Native Americans, and women were severely limited. Despite facing significant obstacles, she developed an early fascination with flying. She worked in the cotton fields at a young age while attending a small segregated school. Coleman’s determination and love for learning led her to attend Langston University for one term.
In the early 1920s, Coleman began pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot. However, there were no flight training opportunities available for African Americans, Native Americans, or women in the United States. Undeterred, she saved money and obtained sponsorships to go to France for flight school. In 1921, she earned her international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, becoming the earliest known Black person to achieve this milestone.
Coleman’s accomplishments garnered significant attention, and she quickly became a high-profile pilot in notoriously dangerous air shows across the United States. She captivated audiences with her breathtaking aerial maneuvers and earned the nicknames Queen Bess and Brave Bessie for her daring feats. Coleman dreamed of starting a flight school for African-American fliers, inspired by her desire to provide opportunities for aspiring aviators from marginalized communities.
Tragically, Coleman’s life and promising career were cut short when she died in a plane crash on April 30, 1926. Her untimely death at the age of 34 shocked the aviation community and left a void in the hearts of those who admired her courage and determination. Despite her short life, she left an enduring legacy as an inspiration to early pilots and to the African-American and Native American communities.