Bessie Coleman (1892–1926) was a pioneering African American aviator and the first woman of African American and Native American descent to hold a pilot license. She broke barriers in aviation during a time when racial and gender discrimination were significant challenges.

Key points about Bessie Coleman’s life and achievements include:

1. Early Life: Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, to a family of sharecroppers. She was the tenth of thirteen children.
2. Education and Career: Coleman attended college at Langston University in Oklahoma, but financial constraints forced her to leave before completing her degree. In 1915, she moved to Chicago, where she worked as a manicurist and heard stories from World War I pilots, sparking her interest in aviation.
3. Pilot Training in France: Facing racial and gender barriers to aviation training in the United States, Coleman decided to go to France to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. She attended the Caudron Brothers’ School of Aviation and earned her international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in 1921.
4. Achievements: Bessie Coleman became known for her aerial acrobatics and barnstorming performances, thrilling audiences with her daring stunts. She was a trailblazer for women and African Americans in aviation.
5. Champion of Civil Rights: Coleman was not only a pioneer in aviation but also a symbol of empowerment for African Americans and women. She encouraged aspiring aviators and challenged racial and gender discrimination.
6. Legacy: Bessie Coleman’s achievements paved the way for future generations of African American and female aviators. She inspired the creation of the Bessie Coleman Aero Club in 1929, aimed at supporting African American aviators. Her legacy continues to inspire individuals pursuing careers in aviation.

Tragically, Bessie Coleman’s life was cut short in an aviation accident on April 30, 1926, during a rehearsal for an airshow. Despite her untimely death, she remains an iconic figure in the history of aviation and a symbol of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.