piercing through the color barrier
daredevil
1920 | after being denied entry to US flight schools, she learned French and moved to France to study at Ecole d'Aviation des Freres Caudron, Le Crotoy in Somme
1921 | first African-American woman to hold an international pilot's license
1926 | killed in a plane crash while practicing for an air show
from | to
manacurist, chili parlor operatior & laundress | pioneering black aviator
born on
January 26, 1893
born in
Atlanta, Georgia
birth name
Bessie Coleman
nickname
Brave Bessie
Queen Bess
citizen of
United States of America
grew up in | lived in
daughter of
sister of
educated at | studied with
Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University
~ now called Langston University ~
Federation Aeornautique International
loved studying
advocate for
overcoming racial prejudice
creating an aviation school
living your dream
in her spare time
died on
April 30, 1926
~ 33 years old ~
"We must have aviators if we are to keep pace with the times."
Aviatrix Must Sign Life Away to Learn Trade | october 1921
curated with care by Pauline Weger