INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: BESSIE COLEMAN "QUEEN BESS - DAREDEVIL AVIATRIX"

 "I knew we had no aviators, neither men nor women, and I knew the Race needed to be represented along this most important line, so I thought it my duty to risk my life to learn aviation and to encourage flying among men and women of our Race."

Simply Said Media puts the International Women's History & Black History Spotlight on Bessie Coleman a.k.a. Queen Bess.  Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas to Susan and George Coleman.  Bessie spent much of her childhood working in the cotton fields.  When work was slow Bessie along with her siblings went to school.  Bessie was good with numbers so on the cotton plantation she was given a job as a bookkeeper.  She also did laundry to earn enough money to go to college.  Bessie first had dreams of becoming a teacher, she enrolled at Langston Industrial College, a school for African Americans.  After 1 year of attendance she had to leave because she didn't have enough money to further her education.  She moved to Chicago and took a course in manicuring, Bessie began working as a manicurist at the White Sox Barber Shop.

You maybe asking yourself how does one who dreamed of being a teacher, become a manicurist, but then gets inspired to become a pilot?  Well after World War I the talk around town was about these new flying machines & how important they were within the war.  Bessie had the desire to fly IN an airplane just as much to pilot one.  Here is a list of a few of her accomplishments:

1915: Trained as a manicurist in Chicago

1920:  She went to France to train as a pilot

1921:  She was awarded her pilot's license in France

1922:  She was awarded her international pilot's license

1922-26:  Bessie performed at many air shows and carnivals

1926:  Bessie forced the Orlando Chamber of Commerce to admit African Americans to their air show.

In the 1920's it was almost impossible for any woman, black or white to obtain employment as a pilot in a passenger airplane.  So Queen Bess became the "Daredevil Aviatrix" her first appearance was at an air show at Curtiss Field, near New York City, in 1922.  In 1926, while her mechanic was piloting her plane, it spun out of control - Bessie was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the plane at 2,000 feet.  She died on April 30, 1926 at the age of 34 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bessie Coleman is a role model for women of all colors, especially African American Women.  She wanted to help other African Americans overcome racial discrimination and her example inspired many women to learn how to fly.  She is honored each year on Memorial Day by African American pilots who fly in formation over Lincoln Cemetery and drop flowers on her grave.  After her passing "Bessie Coleman Aero Clubs" were formed and in 1975 the Bessie Coleman Aviators was formed by black women pilots in Chicago.

We are proud of Bessie Coleman and what she achieved in her life, she dared to dream.  A dream is nothing but a distant reality.  You can achieve it amongst all odds and obstacles.  Bessie's determination is what really stands out.  The will to do, the will to be, the desire to make a difference and live out your life's deepest desires.  Bessie Coleman did that and so much more for African Americans in her time and is a reminder for us not to give up on our dreams in our time.  "Queen Bess"  the Queen of Aviation - Simply Said Media salutes you!  You can learn more about Bessie by visiting your local library or just use google :)