Bessie Coleman: A Trailblazer in Aviation
Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!
Bessie Coleman was an African American woman whose humble beginnings did not stop her from becoming a celebrated aviator. She was born January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, U.S. and grew up in Waxahachie, Texas, as one of 13 children born to George and Susan Coleman. Because she was an excellent student, her mathematical aptitude allowed her to escape working in the cotton fields.
HIgh Flying Ideas
At 18, she attended the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma (now called Langston University) for one semester before she ran out of money and had to return home. Five years later, she decided to move to Chicago to live with her brothers. While in Chicago, Coleman worked as a manicurist at a barber shop where she heard stories about pilots flying missions in World War I. She became fascinated by aviation, which was a relatively new field at the time. She took a second job as a restaurant manager to help pay for flying lessons. Unfortunately, women (especially African American women) were not allowed to take flying lessons; however, despite facing discrimination, she was determined to become a pilot.
Determined To Fly
Discrimination prevented Coleman from entering aviation schools in the United States but she was undeterred. With the help of Black philanthropist Robert Abbott, founder and publisher of the African American newspaper, the Chicago Defender and financial support from banker, Jesse Binga, she learned French and traveled to France in 1920. She attended the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. On June 15, 1921, she became the first American woman to obtain an international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
Stunt Pilot
Coleman specialized in stunt flying and parachuting during her training in France. Her daring exploits were captured on newsreel films. She returned to the United States, where racial and gender biases prevented her from becoming a commercial pilot. Instead, she pursued a career in stunt flying, also known as barnstorming. Her most historic flights occurred on Labor Day, September 3, 1922, when Coleman staged the first public flight by an African American woman in America. She became a popular flier at aerial shows, refusing to perform before segregated audiences in the South. Coleman also spoke at schools and churches, encouraging Black people’s interest in aviation.
Dream Unrealized
Bessie Coleman’s goal was to establish a school to train Black aviators but tragically, during a rehearsal for an aerial show on 30 April 1926, her plane spun out of control, and she plummeted 2,000 feet to her death. Despite her untimely demise, Coleman’s legacy endures as a pioneering aviator who broke barriers and inspired generations. Her courage, determination, and passion for aviation continue to inspire us today and reminds us that the sky has no limits, regardless of our background or circumstances.
To learn more about Bessie Coleman, visit https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman
In 1972, Shirley Chisholm made another groundbreaking move – she announced her candidacy for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the President of the United States, becoming the first black candidate for a major party nomination. Her decision to run was historic because she became the first black candidate from a major political party to seek the presidency. Chisholm created her campaign slogan of “Unbought and Unbossed,” emphasizing her independence and refusal to be influenced by special interests. As a black woman, Chisholm faced significant challenges during her campaign. She encountered racism, sexism, and skepticism from some quarters. Despite these obstacles, she remained steadfast in her commitment to represent the underrepresented and marginalized.
