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Bessie Coleman

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description Bessie Coleman Overview

Bessie Coleman was an American aviator who became the first African American woman and the first self-identified Native American woman to hold a pilot's license. Barred from flight schools in the United States, she trained in France and received an international pilot's license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in 1921. She later performed as a barnstorming exhibition pilot and advocated for greater opportunities for Black aviators.

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How did Bessie Coleman get her pilot's license?

Because American flight schools refused to train her due to her race and gender, Bessie Coleman moved to France to learn to fly. In 1921, she earned her international aviation license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

Why is Bessie Coleman famous in aviation history?

Bessie Coleman made history as the first African-American woman and the first Native American to earn an international aviation license. She became a highly celebrated barnstormer, performing daring aerial stunts across the United States in the 1920s.

What type of flying did Bessie Coleman do after getting her license?

After obtaining her license, Bessie Coleman became a renowned barnstormer, performing dangerous aerial tricks like loops and figure-eights at airshows. She famously refused to participate in any aviation events that excluded African Americans.

How did Bessie Coleman die?

Tragically, Bessie Coleman died in a plane crash on April 30, 1926, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a passenger surveying the area for a parachute jump when a loose wrench jammed the controls of her Curtiss JN-4 (Jenny) aircraft, causing it to plummet.