June 15 marks a century since Bessie Coleman became the first Black woman and first Native American to earn a piloting license, inspiring generations of women and people of color to the present day.
Coleman was born in Texas to an African-American and Cherokee family. At the height of racial discrimination, it was hardly a surprise that Coleman's family faced segregated schools and poor employment opportunities. Her father would leave for Oklahoma in hopes of finding a less racist atmosphere. She would later live and work in Chicago, learning about aviation after her brothers returned from World War I. Hearing that French women could learn to fly airplanes, a passion was born. America was no land of opportunity for a woman, moreover a Black woman, so Coleman learned French at night and travelled to France in 1920 with the sponsorship of prominent Black-owned businesses such as the Chicago Defender. Coleman's remarkable persistence allowed her to obtain an aviation license in 1921 and become a legendary stunt pilot. She would break bones and win hearts from inside the cockpit, but without her plane she was still a powerful voice for equality and opportunity in a world with far too little of both. [1]
Sadly, after surviving a harrowing crash and returning to a life of dangerous midair tricks, Bessie Coleman would die from falling out of her plane at 2,000+ feet after a wrench jammed the engine and caused the plane to lose control. She was only 34 at the time. Coleman is buried near many other notable Black Chicagoans at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Cook County. [2]
This month, one modern pilot inspired by Coleman's career will be publishing a historical fiction novel about "Queen Bess" titled A Pair of Wings:
"A full century after her accomplishments, Coleman’s story is brought to life by author Carole Hopson. A United Airlines pilot who flies the Boeing 737, Hopson, considers Bessie Coleman the pioneer who cut the path for her and believes that it is her job to continue Coleman’s work to make that path wider for those who follow. It’s Coleman’s bold determination and courage that lifted Hopson, as well as an entire people upon A Pair of Wings." [3]
For more information on this novel, I suggest looking around at Carole Hopson's website here.