Bessie Coleman: The First Black Woman to Soar the Skies

When we think of aviation pioneers, names like Amelia Earhart or the Wright brothers often come to mind. But long before racial and gender barriers were even considered breakable, there was Bessie Coleman—the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license.

At a time when flight was still a daring and dangerous feat, Coleman didn’t just dream of flying—she defied every odd to make it happen.

From the Cotton Fields to the Cockpit

Born in 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, Bessie Coleman was the tenth of thirteen children in a family of sharecroppers. Her early life was defined by poverty, segregation, and limited opportunities—but she had a hunger for knowledge.

At 18, she enrolled in the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University) but had to drop out due to financial struggles. Determined to build a better life, she moved to Chicago, where she worked as a manicurist and listened to stories of World War I pilots who had returned home.

Their stories lit a fire in her—she wanted to fly. But there was just one problem…

America Wouldn’t Let Her Fly

In the 1920s, aviation schools in the U.S. refused to admit women, let alone Black women. But Coleman wasn’t about to let racism or sexism ground her dreams.

She learned that France was more progressive in aviation training, so she did something unthinkable for a Black woman at that time—she learned French, saved up money, and moved to Paris.

In 1921, she became the first Black woman to earn an international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale—a feat no other African American, male or female, had accomplished.

Becoming “Queen Bess”

Upon returning to the U.S., Bessie Coleman refused to be just another pilot—she wanted to inspire others. Since commercial airlines weren’t hiring Black pilots, she turned to air shows and stunt flying, dazzling crowds with her daredevil maneuvers, loops, and figure-eights.

She became known as "Queen Bess," a fearless aviator who wowed audiences across the country. But her mission went beyond entertainment—she wanted to open an aviation school for Black students, ensuring that others wouldn’t have to fight as hard as she did to take flight.

A Tragic End, A Lasting Legacy

In 1926, at just 34 years old, Bessie Coleman tragically died when her plane malfunctioned during a test flight, ejecting her from the aircraft.

Her death was a devastating loss, but her legacy soared on. In the decades that followed, Black aviators, including the famous Tuskegee Airmen, credited her as a source of inspiration.

Today, Bessie Coleman’s name lives in the skies—from scholarships to aviation clubs in her honor. In 1995, the U.S. Postal Service even issued a stamp in her memory, ensuring that the world would never forget the woman who broke barriers to fly.

Why Bessie Coleman Still Matters Today

Bessie Coleman’s story isn’t just about aviation—it’s about defying the odds, rewriting the rules, and never accepting "no" as an answer.

Her life teaches us that when the world tells you something is impossible, you find another way. And that’s exactly what she did.

Because of Bessie Coleman, the sky isn’t just the limit—it’s just the beginning.

💬 Let’s Talk:

Did you know about Bessie Coleman before today? What other Black pioneers deserve more recognition? Drop their names in the comments!