Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman

January 26, 1892 - April 30, 1926

Bessie Coleman was about that life.

Born in Atlanta, Texas she he had a dream to fly and her unwavering commitment made her the first black woman to gain an international permit to fly in 1921.

Coleman was inspired by stories of women aviators in France told to her by brother (John) who served during WWI .

Rebuffed from flight schools in America due to sexism and racism, this Maverick didn’t let that stop her.

So what did Bessie do?

Take a French course in Chicago, then travel to France to attend the famous flight school Ecole d’Aviation des Frères Caudron.

Upon returning to the U.S. as "Queen Bess" and launched her new career and was a media sensation.

She made her first appearance in an American airshow on September 3, 1922 at an event honoring veterans of the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment of World War I fame.

Coleman performed in air shows across the country and ready and refused to perform for segregated crowds believing that there was freedom in the skies.

On April 30, 1926 Bessie Coleman was unfortunately killed in an airplane piloted by her mechanic William Wills, she was 34 years old.

Her relentless attitude to flying empowered her to ignore all the obstacles and segregation of the time, and go on to become afirst in US history.

A black woman with a international permit to fly, now that’s MAVERICK.

Today, in MAVERICK Black History we honor the legacy of Bessie Coleman and draw inspiration from the fearless innovator to DISRUPT. the status quo!

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MAV Fact: In 1990, a road near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was renamed for her. Five years later the U.S. Postal Department issued the Bessie Coleman Stamp. She was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006.

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