Bessie Coleman was an extraordinary woman, not just because she broke barriers and defied odds, but because she did so in a time where segregation was still prevalent. She was born on January 26, 1892, to a family of sharecroppers in Atlanta, Texas. Her parents were both Native American and African American, making her heritage even more diverse.
Bessie had an intense passion for aviation from a young age, but unfortunately, there were no avenues for her to pursue her dreams in the United States. Determined to achieve her goals, Bessie moved to France in 1921 to become the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license!
Upon returning to America, Bessie became a renowned aviator and an inspiration to women everywhere. She used her career as a pilot to challenge the racial and gender norms of her time, becoming a beacon of hope for people of color and women around the world.
Throughout her career, Bessie aimed to inspire children to pursue their dreams relentlessly, no matter their circumstances. She drew massive crowds to her airshows, taking passengers up for joy rides in her plane, during a time when flying was still considered a novelty.
Unfortunately, Bessie’s untimely demise came when she was just getting started in her ascent to greatness. On April 30, 1926, Bessie Coleman died during a test flight when her plane suffered a mechanical failure. Despite her short life, she left behind a great legacy for future generations to learn from.
Overall, Bessie Coleman’s untold story should serve as an inspiration to anyone looking to challenge the norms of their time. She believed that nothing was impossible if you were determined enough to fight for it, and that’s exactly what she did. Bessie’s legacy lives on to this day, inspiring generations of aviators, women, and people of color around the world.
