Queen Bess: The Woman Who Refused to Stay on the Ground

In the 1920s, when aviation was still in its infancy and opportunities for women—especially women of color—were scarce, Bessie Coleman rose above every barrier. Known as Queen Bess, she became the first African American woman and the first Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Her determination to fly was not just about breaking records—it was about breaking boundaries.

A Dream Against All Odds

• Born in 1892 in Texas, Bessie grew up in poverty, working in cotton fields and facing systemic racism.

• Inspired by stories of World War I pilots, she dreamed of flying, but no American flight school would accept her because of her race and gender.

• Undeterred, she learned French, traveled to Paris, and in 1921 earned her international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

The Rise of Queen Bess

Coleman returned to the United States as a sensation. She performed daring stunts at airshows, dazzling crowds with loops, barrel rolls, and figure-eights. Her courage earned her the nickname Queen Bess. But she wasn’t just an entertainer—she used her fame to inspire African Americans and women to pursue aviation, insisting that the sky belonged to everyone.

A Legacy Written in the Sky

Tragically, Bessie’s life was cut short in 1926 when she died in a plane accident during a rehearsal flight. Yet her legacy endures. She paved the way for future generations of aviators, proving that determination can lift us above prejudice and limitation.

Today, schools, aviation clubs, and scholarships bear her name. Every time a young pilot takes to the skies, they carry a piece of Queen Bess’s dream with them.