“BESSIE COLEMAN"

By Mandy Walsh of St. Luke Academy, Chicago
© 2007 Mandy Walsh

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to fly an airplane. Before Coleman's first flight, few women flew airplanes. The women who did were wealthy and Caucasian. Coleman always dreamed of flying. She took a stand against racism, segregation, and sexism to make her dream come true. Her bravery and determination showed the world that African Americans are equal, not just in the air, but in all places.

Coleman was born on January 20, 1926 in Atlanta, Texas to George and Susan Coleman. She was born into a family of thirteen children, and her father left the family when she was young. (Hart, Up in the Air, pg. 12) Coleman had to overcome both racial and sexual barriers, because she was an African American woman. (Handlemen, Philip. "Armchair Aviator". Yankee Wings, January-February 1995, pg. 20.) The community in which Coleman lived was strictly segregated. African Americans could not go to the same schools, use the same bathrooms, or entrances into buildings. (Hart, Up In The Air, pg. 12)

Coleman's family never had much money. To help her family out, Coleman took on jobs such as cotton picking, laundry, and housekeeping. Coleman had dreams of breaking away from these jobs that were for "colored people" (Hart, Up In The Air, pg. 13, 18) and promised that she would "amount to something". (Rich, Doris L. "My Quest for Queen Bess". Air and Space, August-September, pg. 57)

One day when Coleman was picking cotton in the fields, she saw birds flying in the sky. Coleman thought, "I wish I could fly like that." (Fisher, Brave Bessie: Flying Free, pg. 19) It was then she decided she would learn to fly.

In 1912, Coleman moved to Chicago to earn money for her dream of flying. There, she lived with her brothers. She got a job at a barbershop. While at work, her brother walked into the barbershop and teased Coleman by saying that French women could fly but she could not. (France did not have the racial barriers America did.) Coleman got angry and declared that one day she would fly. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black African American Pilot, pg. 38)

At the time, Chicago had three aviation schools but she could not get into an aviation program because she was African American and a woman. She realized she had to do something. "She wanted to do something to uplift her race. Black people (in the US) had not been introduced to aviation and that was going to be her contribution. (Gornstien, Ken. "No Flight of Fancy". Northeastern University Magazine, March 1991, pg. 19)

While working, Coleman met a man named Robert Abbott, the editor of The Chicago Defender, a newspaper that encouraged African Americans to follow their dreams. (Hart, Up in the Air, pg. 26) Coleman told him about her ambition to become a pilot. She thought that if she could break the racial barriers, she could not only advance her career, but help other African Americans as well. (Gornstien, Ken. "No Flight of Fancy". Northeastern University Magazine, March 1991, pg. 19.) Robert Abbott told Coleman to reach her goal she must go to France. Her family tried to discourage her, saying that aviation was a very dangerous profession, but Coleman just replied "I'm aware of the risks, but if they (France) can help me with my hopes and plans, I'll have no regrets." ("Bessie Coleman, Smithsonian Institution)

On November 20, 1920 she boarded the SS Emperor bound for France. When she arrived, she applied to two schools. One refused her because two women had just died in an airplane crash, (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot, pg. 43) but the second school, Ecole d' Aviation de Freres Caudron, admitted her.

Coleman loved learning to fly. She would fly in a French Neiuport Type Eighty-two plane, which was very flimsy and dangerous. This did not stop Coleman from wanting to learn more. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot, pg. 45) Coleman even dared to fly the German Horsepower Benz Airplane. She was the first woman to do so. (Queen Bess to Try Air October 15". Chicago Defender, October 7, 1922, pg. 2)

For ten months Coleman walked nine miles every day to school, showing her determination to fly. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot, pg. 45) She even witnessed a classmate die, but did not give up her dream of being a pilot. (Carr, Caroline. Interview with Mandy Walsh. March 4, 2006) Then, on June 15, 1921, she got her pilot's license. This meant Coleman and a Chinese woman were the only pilots in the world who were not Caucasian. ("Chicago Girl is a Full-Fledged Aviatrix Now". Chicago Defender, October 1, 1921, pg. 1) Coleman was excited that now everyone knew African Americans and women could be just as great as Caucasians and men! Coleman had known all of her life that she wanted to do something for the world, and now she knew that she had done it. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman pilot, pg. 45) When asked why she wanted to fly by a reporter, Coleman answered:

"Well, because I knew we had no aviators, nether men nor women, and I knew the Race needed to be represented along this most important line. I thought it was my duty to risk my life to learn aviation and to encourage men and women of the Race who are so far behind the white men in this special line. I made up my mind to try, I tried and was successful. But I shall never be satisfied until we have men of the Race who can fly. .of course it takes one with courage, nerve, and ambition to fly.but I am thankful to know we have men who are physically right. Now what we need are men who are not afraid to dare death." ("Aviatrix Must Sign Away Life to Learn Trade". Chicago Defender, October 8, 1921, pg.2)

Back in the United States, Coleman had trouble finding jobs. She finally came across a job she thought would be great - a barnstormer. They would rent out fields from farmers and would perform in the fields. They would do dangerous stunts, including figure eights and dives. One of the most famous stunts performed was flying through open doors of a barn only to come out on the other side, thus the term barnstormers. (Fisher, Brave Bessie Flying Free, pg. 46)

Even though Coleman had to use segregated facilities, second hand equipment, and was ignored by her fellow pilots because she was African American, Coleman still flew to help and encourage African Americans. (Gornstein, Ken. "No Flight of Fancy". Northeastern University Magazine, March 1991, pg. 19.) Reporters for African American newspapers were always complimenting her, "She is constantly in demand and receives different offers from different parts of the country..Yet with all of her fame she is still the same unassuming, friendly Bessie Coleman." (Poindexter, J. Blain. "Bessie Coleman Makes Initial Aerial Flights". Chicago Defender, October 21, 1922, pg. 3)

Coleman stood up for African American rights. At a show in Texas, authorities were going to set up separate entrances for African Americans and Caucasians, so Coleman refused to perform. Authorities finally relented, setting up only one entrance. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot pg. 82)

At a show in Chicago, the all Caucasian Chamber of Commerce said African Americans would not be allowed to see Coleman's shows. Again, Coleman was angered. She threatened to send her plane back to Texas if African American's were not allowed to see her shows. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot, pg.85)

In Los Angeles aviation was widely accepted. Los Angeles had many factories and businesses owned by African Americans. Los Angeles had YMCAs, a YWCA, a hospital, five newspapers, social clubs, churches and schools, all opened by African Americans. (Hart, Up in the Air, pg. 49)

Coleman moved to Los Angeles where aviation was widely accepted. Coleman put on a show February 4, 1923, but she ended up in Saint Catherine's hospital in Santa Monica with a broken leg and several fractured ribs because of a plane crash. (Fisher, Brave Bessie Flying Free, pg. 61) She used her recovery time to visit with family members. Soon she became restless, and wanted to get back to flying. Coleman's brother and mother tried to discourage her, but Coleman did not give in, saying "it was the only place were prejudice was unknown." (Fisher, Brave Bessie Flying Free, pg. 61)

On April 30th, 1926, in Jacksonville, Florida Coleman was going to put on a show. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Aviator, pg .91) Coleman was going to be in a plane with William Wills, a Caucasian pilot. After several stunts, Coleman was going to put on a parachute and jump out of the airplane. Coleman and Wills decided to practice for their flight that afternoon, because the plane had been forced to land twice when it was being sent to Florida due to engine trouble. As they were doing a dive, the engine stopped working. They frantically tried to get the engine started but could not. Then, three thousand feet in the air, Coleman fell from the plane and died. Wills could not get his seat belt undone, so he crashed to the ground with the plane and died. (Jourdan, E.B. "Hundreds Pay tribute to Aviatrix: Two Lives Snuffed Out When Plane Crashes Down". Chicago Defender, May 8, 1926, pg. 1,4)

Later on, people discovered why the engine failed. Wills had been working on the plane earlier that day and had left a wrench in the plane. When they started to dive the wrench slid from the back of the plane into the engine, jamming it, causing it to stop.

Coleman had three major funerals. They were in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Chicago. (Tilmon, Dezerene, "Bess the Brave" The First African-American Woman to Fly an Airplane, pg. 2) At Coleman's funeral in Jacksonville, many people came. "Sunday, men, women, and children of all hues crowded into the Bethel Baptist church to pay parting tribute to the daring flyer girl. Millionaires and sons of millionaires.Sportsmen.pause for a second before the open casket that held the shattered body of "Brave Bess". (Jourdan, E.B. "Hundreds Pay Tribute to Aviatrix: Two Lives Snuffed Out When Plane Crashes Down". Chicago Defender, May 8, 1926, pg. 1) In Chicago, five thousand mourners were present. The priest called her an African American ahead of her time. He explained that even though she was only supported by Caucasians, she never gave up and kept trying to help African Americans. Bessie Coleman was buried in Chicago, Illinois, at Lincoln Cemetery because she felt Chicago was her home. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot, pg. 97)

One of Coleman's dreams was to make an aviation school for African Americans. She never achieved her dream, but someone else finally did. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Aviator, pg.79) In 1929, the Bessie Coleman Aero Club was started by William J. Powell. In his book, Black Aviator, he comments on the naming of his club:

"'Shall we decide definitely on your previous suggestion, Bill, for a name-Bessie Coleman Aero Clubs?' 'We would at least be doing something Negros generally do not do,' answered Bill. 'What's that?' said Neely, starting up. 'We would be honoring a pioneer who I think well deserves the honor.' 'Granted'." (Powell, William J. "Black Aviator". Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington and London, 1994)

This club inspired many people, including Cornelius Coffey. (www.sis.pitt.edu/resources/diversity/aa/aviation3.html, pg. 1)

"Coffey established the Coffey School of Aeronautics at Harlem Airport at 87th street and Harlem Avenue, which trained more than 1500 Black students, many later becoming Tuskegee Airmen. The Curtiss Wright School of Aviation on South Michigan Avenue, the emergence of Chicago's Municipal Airport (later named Midway Airport), the incredible change from "Orchard Field" to O'Hare International airport, you can get some appreciation for the enormous role the Chicago area played in the role of aviation." (Tilmon, Jim, Interview by Mandy Walsh, December 11, 2005.)

Every year the Tuskegee Airmen pick a couple of pilots to fly over Coleman's grave in Chicago and drop a wreath over it. (Salute to a Nervy Lady, pg.1) Coleman also has a plane intersection named after her. Mayor Daley named April 26th Bessie Coleman Day. Coleman also has a library named after her. At the International Friends Forest, Coleman has her own tree. Cyrus C. Cassells Jr. honored Bessie Coleman at a ceremony in 1995. He said "We all shared Bessie's love for flying and went through the doors that she cracked open." Coleman also has earned her own stamp in the Black Heritage Collection. (Plantz, Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Aviator, pg. 107, 108, 109) There are many other memorials to Coleman as well. "Through the crashing of the plane, life ceased for Bessie Coleman, enough members of her race had been inspired by her courage to carry on the field of aviation, and what ever is accomplished by members of the race in aviation will stand as a memorial to Ms. Coleman." ("Bessie Coleman: 1892-1926". Smithsonian Institution.)

Willa Brown, the first African American Woman Commercial Pilot became interested in flying when she heard about Bessie Coleman and her shows from her grade school teacher. (First Black Woman Commercial Pilot joins FAA Panel, pg.1) Jim Tilmon, a life long pilot and meteorologist said "Her life and struggles proved to all Americans who came into contact with her story or saw her fly, that race and gender had nothing to do with the skill of flying." (Tilmon, Jim, Interview by Mandy Walsh, December 11, 2005.) Lottie Theodore became a pilot because of Bessie Coleman, according to William J. Powell's book, Black Aviator: "'Oh, are you a flier?' Bill asked with joy. 'No, hope to be one some day, though. I was on the field in Jacksonville, Florida, last year, when Bessie Coleman had her accident. I admired her courage to such an extent that I decided that I would become an aviatrix as soon as I got the opportunity.'" (Powell, William J. "Black Aviator". Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington and London, 1994)

In 1995, a group of women got together and decided to make a foundation to keep African American women pilots together. They call themselves "The Bessie Coleman Foundation". Their motto is "Continuing the Legacy of Bessie Coleman." One of there main missions is to "educate the country on the accomplishments of Bessie Coleman." ("Bylaws of the Bessie Coleman Foundation", pg. 1) To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the Foundation decided to go to France and travel to where Coleman learned to fly. At a museum near Coleman's flight school, the Foundation saw many exhibits about Coleman. (Carr, Caroline. Interview with Mandy Walsh, March 4, 2006) France wasn't amazed by Bessie Coleman because she was an African American, but because she was a woman. Bessie Coleman was honored by a candle lighting ceremony. (Thomas-Tidsale, Alice. "France Rolls Out Red Carpet for US Black Female Aviators". Jackson Advocate, June 23, 2005, pg. 20a)

There is another group of women who were inspired by Coleman, called the Sisters:

"Ms. Coleman has been one of my personal heroes from the time I read of this remarkable sister. She was a black woman who was not afraid to 'step of faith' and come to France to leap over obstacles racist America put in the way of her dreams. It was Bessie Coleman's realization of learning to fly that spawned my own dream to fly...thank you for being black history!" ( Stevenson, Ricki. "Tenth Anniversary Celebration". )

In 2005 the Bessie Coleman Foundation also held a ceremony for Coleman, and two other pilots Coleman inspired, Willa Brown and Janet Harmon. Caroline Carr says, "They saw what she did, and they knew they could do it too." The Foundation raised money and at the ceremony gave them new tombstones. (Carr, Caroline. Interview with Mandy Walsh. March 4, 2006.) The Bessie Coleman Foundation also has many sponsors like Coca-Cola, Fed Ex, 100 Black Men of America, and Delta Airlines. (10th Anniversary Celebration. Rue, France, June 17, 2005.)

Anne Sulton, the first African American woman to get a pilot's license in the state of Georgia says of Coleman: "Bessie made a positive impact on people interested in flying..her story has made my life richer. She has a wonderful story of 'American enthusiasm' that reaches beyond and across the color/race/gender lines". (Sulton, Anne. Interview with Mandy Walsh, March 16-17.) Enoc P. Waters, the Editor of the Chicago Defender after Abbot died, said

"It was unusual enough for a Negro to fly a plane, but for a Negro woman to do such a thing, it came near to being a miracle. That Ms. Coleman was a petite and attractive person and a worthy person to have pioneered in such a field." (Patterson, Elois. "Memoirs of the Late Bessie Coleman". Smithsonian Institution, pg. 5)

Many years after Coleman's death, people are still being inspired by her contagious spirit and bravery. In 1987, Sonia Jackson stared in a one woman play, about Bessie Coleman called "I'm Gonna Fly". ("I'm Gonna Fly Tells the Story of a Black Woman's Vow". Los Angeles Independent, September 30, 1987) (Koehler, Robert. "I'm Gonna Fly". Los Angeles Times, September 16, 1987, pg. 4)

Over all, Coleman has contributed so much to our country and our world. She helped African Americans and women everywhere realize that they could achieve anything they want to achieve. By taking many stands throughout her life, like deciding to fly and never giving up, going to France and never getting discouraged, and making sure that African Americans could see her air shows, Bessie Coleman truly showed that she was a great pilot, motivator, and inspiration to people, of any gender or race.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Newspaper

• “Aviatrix Must Sign life Away to learn Trade”. Chicago Defender, October 8, 1921.
  This article explains what Bessie Coleman had to do to go to France, and gives great detail and quotes.

• “Bessie Coleman”. Chicago Defender, October 7, 1922.
  This ad was advertising Bessie Coleman’s show first show in Chicago. It went into great detail about what Bessie Coleman would do at her show, and how much the tickets were.

• “Chicago Girl is a Full-Fledged Aviatrix Now”. Chicago Defender, October 1, 1921.
  This article from the “Chicago Defender” tells about Bessie Coleman journeying to France and how she was the first African American woman pilot.

• “Falls Three Hundred Feet”. Chicago Defender, February 10, 1923.
  This detailed article about Bessie falling in Los Angeles tells about Bessie Coleman’s fall, and how she said that she wanted to get back to flying.

• “I’m Gonna Fly Tells the Story of a Black Woman’s Vow”. Los Angeles Independent, September 30, 1987.
  This play review of “I’m Gonna Fly”, the story of Bessie Coleman tells about how the play was put on, the dates of the show, and the price. It goes into great detail about the show.

• Jourdan, E.B. “Hundreds Pay Tribute to Aviatrix: Two Lives Snuffed Out When Plane
   Crashes Down”. Chicago Defender, May 8, 1926.
  This front-page news article tells about how Bessie Coleman died, and gives detailed pictures and stories of how it happened.

• Jourdan, E.B. “Brave Bess Arrives Home: Aviatrix and Pilot Die in Plane Crash”.
   Chicago Defender, May 8, 1926.
  This long article tells about Bessie Coleman’s death, and gives you great detail about what happened.

• Koehler, Robert. “I’m Gonna Fly”.  Los Angeles Times, September 16, 1987.
  This advertisement tells about “I’m Gonna Fly”, a play about Bessie Coleman. It shows how important Bessie Coleman is to the world.

• “Negro Pupils Promoted”. The Washington Post, June 15, 1930.
  This article shows how many African American people have become pilots since Bessie Coleman had died, and how many of them had been promoted.

• “Pioneer Aviatrix Starts Last Journey”. Chicago Defender, May 15, 1926.
  This article tells about Bessie Coleman’s death, and all of her funerals in Chicago, showing how important she was to Chicago.

• Poindexter, J. Blain. “Bessie Coleman Makes Initial Aerial Flights”. Chicago Defender, October 21, 1922.
  This article tells about Bessie Coleman’s first flight in Chicago. It gives you great insight on how many people were there, and what she did.

• Queen Bess To Try Air October 15”. Chicago Defender, October 7, 1922.
  This short article tells about Bessie Coleman and how she is going to put on a show. It tells about how big of a deal it is to have an African American pilot.

•  “They Can’t Keep Us Down”. Chicago Defender, October 8, 1921.
  This cartoon in the “Chicago Defender” shows how Caucasians couldn’t “put African Americans down” because Bessie Coleman had become a pilot.

• Thomas-Tisdale, Alice. “France Rolls Out Red Carpet for US Black Female Aviators”.
  Jackson Advocate, June 23, 2005.
  This newspaper article tells about the Bessie Coleman Foundation’s trip to France and how Bessie Coleman inspired them.

Papers

• “Aviation’s Pioneer Colorful Women Among the First”. Bessie Coleman Foundation
  Ceremony. Lincoln Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, April 30, 2005.
  This pamphlet tells about the Bessie Coleman Foundation and how they raised money for nicer tombstones for Bessie Coleman and other African American women pilots.

• “Bessie Coleman”.  Smithsonian Institution.
  This paper tells some basic facts about Bessie Coleman’s life.

• Bessie Coleman Foundation, The. “Bylaws of the Bessie Coleman Foundation.”
  This paper contains the guidelines of the Bessie Coleman Foundation and helps to make it clear what their purpose is.

• Patterson, Elois. “Memoirs of the Late Bessie Coleman Aviatrix Pioneer to the Negro
  People in Aviation”.  1969.
  This paper was written by Bessie Coleman’s sister and recalls great memories of Bessie Coleman’s life.

• “Tenth Anniversary Celebration”. Bessie Coleman Foundation. June 17, 2005. Rue, France.
  This pamphlet explains about the Bessie Coleman Foundation’s trip to France for their tenth anniversary.

Interviews

• Carr, Caroline, Member of the Bessie Coleman Foundation. Interview by Mandy Walsh,
  March 4, 2006, Chicago Illinois.
  Caroline Carr gave some great facts, quotes, and pieces of information when interviewed in person. She helped explain Bessie Coleman’s impact on the world today, and whom she has inspired.

• Sulton, Anne, Member of the Bessie Coleman Foundation. Interview by Mandy Walsh,
  March 16-17, Chicago Illinois.
  Anne Sulton gave some great contacts and some quotes on Bessie Coleman through an email interview.

• Tilmon, Jim, Pilot. Interview by Mandy Walsh, December 11, 2005, Chicago, Illinois.
  Jim Tilmon responded to many email questions and helped to explain the effect Bessie Coleman had on the aviation world.

Magazines

• “Colored Aviatrix Bobs Up Again”. Air Service News Letter, Volume 7, February 20,1923.
  This clipping told me why Bessie Coleman went to France.

Books

• Powell, William J. Black Aviator: A New Edition of Black Wings. Washington:
  Smithsonian Institution Press, 1994.
  This book showed me how Bessie Coleman inspired so many people.

Artifacts

• Bessie Coleman’s Pilots License. Federation Aeronautique Internationale, France. Smithsonian Institution.
  Her pilot’s license showed me where and when she got her pilot’s license and who gave it to her.

• Bessie Coleman’s Passport. United States of America Department of State. Smithsonian Institute.
  This passport gave me an idea of how old Bessie Coleman was at the time she got her passport, and what she looked like.

• Daley, Richard M. Proclamation of Bessie Coleman Day.
  This proclamation states that there will be an official Bessie Coleman day in the city of Chicago.

Pictures

• Black Wings Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. “The Flying Ace” Advertisement. 1923.
  This shows Norman Studios film, “The Flying Ace”, featuring actors acting out pilots, like Bessie Coleman.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Picture of Bessie Coleman in her pilot’s uniform. 1922.
  This picture shows Bessie Coleman ready for one of her shows in her military style clothing she was famous for.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. A Curtiss J N-4 plane- type flown by Bessie. 1920.
  This picture shows the kind of planes Bessie Coleman and other pilots would have flown. It shows that these planes could have fallen apart very easily.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  Black Wings “Aviation Training Free” ad from William J. Powell’s book Black Wings. 1936.
  This shows William J. Powell’s dream that all African Americans could fly, like Bessie did.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. William J. Powell’s Bessie Coleman
  Aero Clubs. 1932.
  This black and white photograph shows the club that William J. Powell named after Bessie Coleman, and that famous people like Joe Louis would go there.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Ad for William J. Powell’s book
  Black Wings. 1934.
  This ad shows William J. Powell’s book called “Black Wings”. This book had much to say about Bessie Coleman and the club that William J. Powell named after Bessie Coleman.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  Curtiss Wright School for Aviation.
  First all Black Class. 1931.
  This old photograph shows an aviation school with it’s first all black class. Bessie Coleman was part of the reason this school was opened.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Colored Air Circus featuring Hubert Julian. 1931.
  This picture shows that Bessie Coleman inspired African Americans to fly, and that after her death African Americans even started to fly in their own “Circuses”.

• Black Wings Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Norman Studios “The Flying Ace.”
  1923. 
  This picture explains how rare it was to have African American movies, and how amazing it was.

Contacts

• The Ninety Nines Organization.
  The Organization sent many facts, files, and pictures, along with pamphlets and other interesting information.

• Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
  The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum sent me many facts, pictures and useful facts about Bessie Coleman.

Secondary Sources

Newspapers

• “B. Coleman, eleve des Freres Caudron.” Ponthieu-Marquenterre, June 8, 2005. (French)
  This newspaper article-printed in French- tells about Bessie Coleman and how she                                            inspired people in France. It also tells about the Bessie Coleman Foundation.

• Benedict, Howard. “Shuttle Breaks the Racial Barrier”. Chicago Tribune, 1983
  This article tells about an African American Space Crew that was inspired by Bessie   Coleman.

• “Black Women Aviators Welcomed to France to Honor Bessie Coleman”. Georgia Informer, June 2005.
  This news article tells about the Bessie Coleman Foundation’s trip to France, and what they did there, and how they honored Bessie Coleman.

• “Brave Bessie”. FAA General Aviation News, January-February 1983.
  This article tells about Bessie Coleman, and gives great facts about her.

• Cailly, Claude. “Le musee repute jusquen Amerique”. Ponthieu-Baie De Somme, June 21, 2005. (French)
  This article in French tells about the Bessie Coleman Foundation coming to France, and how they are celebrating Bessie Coleman.

• Gillian, Dorothy. “Challenger Represented the Best”. The Washington Post, February 6, 1986.
  This news article tells about a space shuttle, and how Bessie Coleman inspired people who were going to be on the Challenger.

• Horton, Luci. “First Black Woman Commercial Pilot Joins FAA Panel”. Chicago T ribune, 1972.
  This article from the “Chicago Tribune” tells about Willa Brown, and states facts about why she got into flying.

• “Salute to a Nervy Lady”. Chicago Tribune, 1980.
  This newspaper article tells about Bessie Coleman’s death anniversary and what people do to celebrate Bessie Coleman.

Papers

• Tilmon, Dezerine. “Bess The Brave”. The First African American Woman to fly an Airplane. 
  This paper explains Bessie Coleman’s life and has some interesting facts

Magazine

• “Celebrate Our Aviation Pioneers: Amelia Earhart and Bessie Coleman”.
  International Organization of Women Pilots Magazine: 99 News, September- October 2005.
  This magazine ad shows that people are so inspired by Bessie Coleman that they even made her into a doll.

• Gornstein, Ken. “No Flight of Fancy”. Northeastern University Magazine, March 1991.
  This magazine article gives you facts about how Bessie Coleman inspired others, and how she over came barriers.

• Handleman, Philip. “Armchair Aviator”. Yankee Wings, January-February 1995.
  This article states facts about Bessie Coleman and how she over came racial and gender based barriers.

• Rich, Doris L. “My Quest for Queen Bess”. Air & Space, August-September, 1994.
  This “Air & Space” article tells about how the author searched for information on Bessie Coleman, and what she found out about Bessie Coleman.

• Stumbough, Virginia. “Black, Brave, and Flying”. Ebony Jr. Magazine, February 1979.
  This article tells about Bessie Coleman’s struggles, and how she never gave up, even though her profession was dangerous.

Letters

• Armstrong, Beverly, Bessie Coleman Foundation President. Tenth Anniversary Trip to France. 2005.
  This letter by the president of the Bessie Coleman Foundation explained about the Bessie Coleman Foundation and how proud she was to participate in their tenth anniversary trip to France.

• Dixon, Hannah Chapman. Bessie Coleman Foundation. Tenth Anniversary Trip to France. 2005.
  This letter explained more about the trip to France and how proud she was to be part of the Bessie Coleman Foundation.

• Hart, Philip. Bessie Coleman Foundations Tenth Anniversary Trip to France. 2005.
  This letter explained how Bessie Coleman inspired him.

• Knighton, Nickey. Vice Presidant of the Bessie Coleman Foundation. Tenth Anniversary Trip to France. 2005.
  This letter explained about the trip to France and also about the Bessie Coleman Foundation.

• Stevenson, Ricki. The Sisters. Bessie Coleman Foundation Tenth Anniversary Trip to France. 2005.
  This letter to the Bessie Coleman Foundation told how much Bessie Coleman has inspired Ms. Stevenson.

Internet

• “Aviation”. Aviation and Space. September 24, 2005. <http://www.sis.pitt.edu/reasources/diversity/aa/aviation3.html>.
  This site tells about aviators and their accomplishments.

• Barr, Agnes. “World’s First African American Woman Pilot Honored With US Stamp”.
    The Ninety-Nines. September 16, 2005. <http://www.ninty-nines.org/coleman.html>.
  This source gives information on how Bessie Coleman was honored with a US stamp in the Black Heritage Collection. It tells how Bessie Coleman’s family worked with the post office to get it.

• “Bessie Coleman”. NASA. September 11, 2005.
    <http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/coleman.htm>.
  The source gives basic facts about Bessie Coleman and how she has helped the world today.

• “Bessie Coleman: Aviator”. Roots Web. September 9, 2005.
    <http://www.rootsweb.com/-txecm/bessie-coleman.htm>.
  This source gives information on Bessie Coleman’s shows and her early life.

• “Bessie Coleman Pilot Pioneer”. Chicago Stories. September 5, 2005.
    <http://www.wttw.com/chicagostories/coleman.html >.
  This web site tells how Bessie Coleman became a pilot, and the struggles she went through to become one.

• “Early Women Aviators”. PBS flygirls. September 11, 2005.      <http://www.pbs.org/amex/flygirls/peopleeventspandeAMEX02.html>.

  This web site gives information on Bessie Coleman and other women aviators and how they changed the world.

• “First African American Woman to Earn A Pilots License”. Black Seek. September 16,
    2005. <http://www.blackseek.com/bh/2001/ 123_Bcoleman.htm>.
  This web site gives information on how Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to get a pilot’s license and her trip to France.

• Grant, Kelli. “Women in Aviation”.  The Ninety-Nines. September 16, 2005.
    <http://www.ninty-nines.org/wia.html>.
  This web site gives basic information on famous women in aviation like Willa Brown and Bessie Coleman.

Books

• Atkins, Jeannine. Wings And Rockets: The Story Women In Air and Space. New York:
  Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.
  This book tells you about women and how they effected the aviation and space world.

• Fisher, Lillian M. Brave Bessie Flying Free.  Hendrick-Long Publishing Co., 1995.
  This book gives you details about Bessie Coleman’s life and her Chicago days.

• Harris, Jacqueline. The Tuskegee Airmen Black Heroes of World War II. NJ, Dillon Press, Parsippany, 1996.
  This book gives you facts on African American pilots, like Bessie Coleman and the Tuskegee Airmen.

• Hart, Philip S. Up in the Air. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books Inc., 1996.
  This book has many facts about Bessie Coleman and much about her childhood.

• Plantz, Connie. Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Aviator. NJ: Enslow Publishers Inc, 2001.
  This book shows a great timeline of Bessie Coleman’s life and has great pictures with informative captions.