coleman went back to the united states to work as a barnstormer, performing tricks and stunts in her airplane. barnstormers like coleman flew planes in loops and figure eights and other patterns while audiences watched. coleman performed in the united states and europe. in the 1920s, much of the united states still practiced racial segregation. coleman refused to perform at places that did not let african americans watch equally. for one show in texas, coleman refused to perform unless the showrunners let everyone in the audience enter through the same gate instead of making one gate for white people and one for black people. she also taught flying lessons and encouraged women to learn to be pilots.