History: Pioneer Pilot Bessie Coleman

Jean Warner's excellent Oklahoma Women makes note of the historic achievements of Bessie Coleman, who was born in Texas but attended Langston University when it was still the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. She went on to become the first African American (male or female) to become an airplane pilot and the first American of any race or gender to hold an international pilot's license.

In pursuing a flying career, she had three goals: earn a pilot's license, become a recognized stunt and exhibition flier, and establish an aviation school for blacks.

Rejected by every American aviation school she applied to, she was encouraged by Robert S. Abbott (founder of the Chicago Defender) to study abroad.

It was through both German and French pilots that Coleman returned to the U.S. in 1921 as this country's first black female licensed pilot. A year later she earned her international pilot's license.

Barnstorming across the country, she thrilled thousands as "Brave Bessie."

On April 30, 1926, while making a practice run with her mechanic as the pilot, Bessie Coleman was thrown out of the plane when the controls jammed. She was 33.

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