Remembering Bessie Coleman

February is Black History Month, and it is appropriate that we take this opportunity to salute a true pioneer in the world of aviation, Bessie Coleman.

Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was a remarkable woman by any account. Born in 1892 into a mixed-race (Native and African American) family of Texas sharecroppers, Bessie was an excellent student as a child in a small, segregated school, excelling in math. Each year her studies were interrupted when she worked in the cotton fields, helping bring in the crops.

Bessie saved what money she could, and at the age of 18, enrolled in the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma (now called Langston University). She completed one term before her money ran out and she returned home. Eventually she moved to Chicago and as a result of hearing stories of aviators who had flown in the first world war, developed an interest in aviation. Unfortunately, at that time there were no opportunities for Native Americans, African Americans, or women to fly in the United States.

Undeterred, Bessie saved the money she earned as a manicurist and manager of a chili parlor and obtained sponsorships in Chicago to go to France for flight school.

She was the first ever African American woman, as well as the first Native American to hold a pilot license, which was issued by the Federetion Aeronautique Internationale on the 15th of June, 1921.

Upon returning to America, Bessie made a name for herself as a barnstorming stunt pilot in went on to became a high-profile pilot in extremely dangerous air shows throughout the United States. She was known far and wide as "Brave Bessie" and "Queen Bess". Her intent was to one day operate a flight school for African-American aviators. Unfortunately, this dream never came true, as Bessie Coleman died in a plane crash in 1926. She remains an inspiration to all pilots as well as the African-American and Native American communities.