Monday, February 3, 2020

Bessie Coleman - Aviator

Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) must have been a true woman of courage. Her nickname was Brave Bessie and she earned every bit of it. Bessie was the first licensed African American pilot! And she didn't let her race or gender stop her dream. Can you image her courage of even daring to have a dream of wanting to be a pilot in America in the early 1900s? Not even being denied to enter flight school in the United States would stop her. Bessie trained in France and received her license in 1921. A year later, she earned her international pilot's license  When she returned to the United States, Bessie planned to open a flight school so other African Americans could become pilots too, but she needed money. She used her skills performing aviation stunts in air shows all around the country to raise funds. And Bessie wasn't just an aviator, she was also an activist. She would refuse to perform unless African Americans were allowed to use the same entrance to her shows as white attendees.  Eventually, Bessie earned enough money to buy three airplanes and she was getting closer to fulfill her dream of owning her flight school. Tragically, Bessie Coleman was killed in a plane crash while performing in an air show on April 30, 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bessie Coleman was an inspiration to all future African American pilots. For more information on Bessie Coleman, go to your local library.

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