Bessie Coleman (1892-1924) Bessie Coleman, or “Brave Bessie,”
was the first licensed African-American pilot. Coleman attended
college in Oklahoma, but had to quit because of financial
difficulties. She moved to Chicago and worked as a manicurist
and successfully operated a chili parlor. However, Coleman's
dream was to learn to fly. When no American school would accept
African Americans, she traveled to France to attend Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale, where she became the first licensed
black pilot in the world. Flying army surplus aircraft left over
from WWI, she earned her nickname “Brave Bessie” by performing
daredevil stunts. While doing air shows she gave lectures urging
young black students to become pilots. Coleman once refused to
perform in Waxahachie, Texas, until black students were allowed
to use the same entrance as white students. Coleman died in 1924
in an accident. She is buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Chicago. -
This article is excerpted from the NWHM Winter 2004 Newsletter -
PHOTO: Earl