A Fearless Aviatrix
By National Air and Space Museum (Great Images in NASA Description) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Even though her wings were not easily achieved, Bessie Coleman became the World’s first civilian licensed African-American pilot who also happened to be a woman! Bessie Coleman faced many obstacles such as her race and her gender. She was warned not to pursue her goal of becoming a pilot, or to be outspoken, or to become the women she knew she could be! During her era, men and women of color were not allowed to fly. However, Bessie did not see that as a barrier, but more as a challenge. A challenge she would adversely rise above!
Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, to sharecroppers Susan and George Coleman. She was one of thirteen children. Her father moved their family to Waxahachie, Texas, when she was two years old. However, he left the family in 1901 when Bessie Coleman was only nine. Afterwards, Bessie’s Mother and older brothers pursued work, which in turn left Bessie as a caretaker for her younger sisters.
Bessie was able to complete school up to eighth grade and then pursued work as a Laundress. She later attended Langston University until she ran out of money and returned home to work again. In 1915, Bessie moved to Chicago to stay with her older brother and to soon determine a career in aviation.
While in Chicago, Bessie worked as a manicurist in the White Sox Barber Shop. There she met Robert Abbott, the publisher of the nation’s largest African-American weekly, the Chicago Defender. Abbott became Bessie’s sponsor and recommended she go to France to learn to fly after her brother, a WWI veteran, told her stories about France and the women who were allowed to fly planes there. After no school in the U.S. would take her, Bessie learned French and left for France.
By Fédération Aéronautique Internationale [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
In 1921, Bessie earned her international license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. She then traveled around Europe to learn air show performance and gain more flying experience. In 1922, she returned to the U.S. with goals of founding an aviation school and introducing aviation to her race. However, commercial aviation still rejected her and she had to make a living.
Bessie began stunt flying also known as “barnstorming” doing loops, spins, and barrel rolls for paying crowds. She was quickly named “Queen Bess” and developed a following in black and white newspapers. She also traveled across the U.S. lecturing in churches, theaters, and schools to spark interest in aviation.
Sadly, in 1926 Bessie was involved in a tragic plane crash. On an exploratory flight, her mechanic flew and lost control of her plane. Bessie, who was not buckled in, was thrown to her death from 30,000 feet in the air. Moments later her mechanic crashed. Both Bessie and her mechanic died. Ten thousand people mourned Bessie Coleman at her funeral in Chicago. Afterwards, an annual fly over of her grave was instituted as well as the Bessie Coleman Aero Club.
Bessie Coleman is a legend who defied the odds of becoming a rising aviatrix. She refused to be slowed by racism and gender barriers. So, for the women of today, remember Bessie Coleman and No Matter What…Continue to Rise!
References
Bessie Coleman. (2018, January 19). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/bessie-coleman-36928
Bessie Coleman Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Co-Da/Coleman-Bessie.html
Zarrelli, N. (2017, March 02). Meet Bessie Coleman, the First Black Woman to Get a Pilot’s License. Retrieved from https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/bessie-coleman-aviator
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