Facts about Bessie Coleman
4 Good Links
The American Experience: Bessie Coleman
PBS looks at Coleman and other early women pilotsWomen in Aviation
A profile of Coleman, with extra details on her deathBessie Coleman
Terrific fan site with many details on her lifeBessie Coleman
Brief info and a good image of her postage stampShare this:
Bessie Coleman Biography
Bessie Coleman was the world’s first licensed black aviator — making her a pioneer as both an African-American and a woman.
Bessie Coleman grew up in Texas, moved to Chicago, and got interested in flying after her brothers returned from World War I. Failing to find anyone in Chicago who would teach flying to a black woman, Bessie Coleman determined to go abroad to get training — a daring idea for that era.
She moved to Paris, was accepted to aviation school, and on June 15, 1921 she received her pilot’s license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. The certificate made her the world’s first licensed black aviator.
Bessie Coleman returned to the United States and began a barnstorming career, appearing at airshows across the country. She died in 1926 while flight-testing an open-cockpit plane; her co-pilot lost control of the aircraft and in the ensuing dive Coleman was tossed from the plane and plunged to her death.
Extra credit
The U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp honoring Bessie Coleman in 1995… Bessie Coleman’s family line included some American Indian blood: her father George was part African-American and part Cherokee.