Celebrating Bessie Coleman: The Fearless Pioneer Who Took Flight Against All Odds

She would’ve been 131 years old!

Long before women’s rights or racial equality were anywhere near recognized, Bessie Coleman soared above both barriers — literally and figuratively. Born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, to sharecroppers George and Susan Coleman, Bessie was the tenth of thirteen children. Growing up in the segregated South, her opportunities were painfully limited, but her imagination was boundless.

After moving to Chicago in her 20s, Coleman worked as a manicurist while taking night classes at the Burnham School of Beauty. But she soon discovered a passion that would change the course of her life — aviation. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Coleman became fascinated with flying after hearing stories from World War I pilots returning from Europe. Yet, when she applied to aviation schools across the United States, every door was slammed in her face because she was both Black and a woman (The New York Times).

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Breaking Barriers in the Sky

Refusing to be grounded, Coleman set her sights on France — a country known for welcoming women into aviation. Determined to succeed, she learned French and was accepted into the Caudron Brothers’ School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. In 1921, she became the first Black woman and the first Native American woman to earn an international pilot’s license (National Air and Space Museum).

Coleman returned to the U.S. a national sensation, known as “Queen Bess” for her daring stunts and aerial shows. She performed loops, figure-eights, and dives that captivated audiences across the country. But her mission extended far beyond applause — she wanted to inspire others of color to take to the skies. “The air is the only place free from prejudice,” she famously said (TIME).

Her groundbreaking achievements made her one of the most celebrated aviators of the 1920s. Tragically, her promising career was cut short when she died in a plane crash in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1926, at just 34 years old. Still, her legacy has continued to inspire generations.

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Honoring Her Legacy

To commemorate her extraordinary life, the U.S. Mint selected Bessie Coleman to be featured on a quarter in 2023, making her the first Black and Native American woman to appear on U.S. currency (U.S. Mint Press Release).

“The range of accomplishments and experiences of these extraordinary women speak to the contributions women have always made in the history of our country,” said Ventris Gibson, Director of the U.S. Mint. “I am proud that the Mint continues to connect America through coins by honoring these pioneering women and their groundbreaking contributions.”

The 2023 honorees were chosen in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus.

Coleman’s courage and persistence are now etched into American history — quite literally.

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From Google Doodles to Airborne Tributes

Coleman’s story continues to reach new audiences through both digital and physical tributes. On January 26, 2016, Google celebrated her 125th birthday with a vibrant Google Doodle, honoring her fearless spirit and enduring influence (Google Doodles Archive).

In 2022, to mark the 100th anniversary of her historic pilot’s license, American Airlines organized an all-Black, all-female crew to fly from her hometown of Dallas to Phoenix. The crew included pilots, flight attendants, and even the maintenance technician — all women of color. Among them was Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s great-niece, who has dedicated her life to preserving her aunt’s story (CNN Travel).

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Inspiring New Generations

Nearly a century later, Coleman’s impact continues to reach young dreamers. One of the most touching examples came from Noa, a second-grade student who discovered Coleman through the Disney Junior series Doc McStuffins. When assigned a report on Amelia Earhart, Noa insisted on researching Bessie Coleman instead.

After submitting her project, the National Aviation Hall of Fame invited Noa and her family to Dayton, Ohio, to meet Gigi Coleman and watch her one-woman show about Bessie’s life. As NPR reported, that encounter demonstrated how Coleman’s story still ignites the imagination of children who dare to dream big.

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Continuing the Flight

Coleman’s influence also lives on through the Bessie Coleman Aero Club, founded in 1929 by Chicago entrepreneur William J. Powell. The club was dedicated to training and encouraging African American pilots — both men and women — in an era when aviation was almost entirely segregated (National Air and Space Museum). Powell famously said, “We must fly not only for ourselves but for those who cannot yet see the sky.”

Today, organizations like Sisters of the Skies, a professional group of Black female pilots, cite Coleman as their foremost inspiration (Forbes). Her trailblazing spirit continues to lift new generations of women and girls, showing them that the sky was never the limit — it was just the beginning.

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Happy Heavenly Birthday, Ms. Coleman — Because of You, We Can

Bessie Coleman’s legacy is not just about aviation; it’s about defiance, courage, and vision. Her life reminds us that barriers are meant to be broken — and that the only true limits are the ones we accept.