Bessie Coleman a role model for Native, African and all American Women

Bessie Coleman made strides for women

If you’ve never heard of Bessie Coleman it’s because she is one of many unsung heroes. This amazing woman only lived a short 34 years, but her legacy continues close to a century later. Her accomplishments impact Americans in three minority groups as she was the first female descendant of African American and Native American heritage to earn a pilot's license and become an aviator.

Sadly because of discrimination and lack of opportunities in this nation Bessie had to leave the United States in order to achieve her dreams. Bessie was born on January 26, 1892, and died on April 30, 1926. She earned her wings from Federation Aéronautique Internationale in France on June 15, 1922.

Miss Coleman was the first black person to ever earn an international pilot's license. Bessie’s parents were African American sharecroppers and her grandfather was Native American. The fact that she was born female became a third strike against this ambitious woman but she was able to attend one term at Langston University.

A pilot who participated in dangerous air shows

Bessie’s love of flight developed early in her life but African Americans, Native Americans, and women were not able to obtain flight training opportunities in the United States. Bessie Coleman, however, did not allow that to stop her and was determined to realize her dream. She saved her money and also received funding from sponsorships.

This allowed her to travel to France and attend flight school. Miss Bessie as she was often called, returned to America where she became a high-profile pilot who took part in notoriously dangerous air shows. Bessie Coleman became well known for her exploits and was given the additional nicknames of Brave Bessie and Queen Bess.

Was her death and accident or murder?

One of her goals that was never realized was her desire to start a school for African-American fliers. Sadly she passed away before this could become a reality. Coleman met her demise in Jacksonville, Florida on April 30th, 1926. She had recently been in Dallas Texas where she purchased a Curtiss JN-4 (Jenny). Accompanying her, was the man who was both her mechanic and also her publicity agent.

The traveling companion of Brave Bessie was 24-year-old William D. Wills, and he flew the plane from Dallas that day in what would be the last flight of Queen Bess. They were supposed to be preparing for an airshow the following day, but the plane had been so poorly maintained that Wills had to make three forced landings as they were in route to Florida.

When Coleman's friends and family heard this news they felt the aircraft was not safe and begged Bessie not to fly in it. The strong-willed Queen Bess did not listen and took off with Wills as the pilot while she rode in the other seat. Coleman was planning a parachute jump the following day and did not put on her seat belt.

Brave Bess

According to Wikipedia, Brave Bess wanted to be able to look over the cockpit sill to at “the Brendans.“. ( I was unable to find any references to confirm what the Brendans is or was in Bessie Coleman’s time. About ten minutes after they took off, Bessie’s plane unexpectedly went into a dive, followed by a spin at 3,000 feet above the ground.

Miss Coleman was thrown from the plane at 2,000 ft and died instantly after hitting the ground. William Wills age 24 was unable to regain control of the aircraft and died upon impact when the plane hit the ground, exploded and burst into flame. The aircraft was badly burned, but some time later a wrench that had been used to service the engine was found in the wreckage, jammed in the controls.

Bessie beat the odds

Was this an accident, a result of the crash or had the plane been tampered with? Did Bessie perish because of negligence, or had there been an attempt on her life? At this point, we probably will never know. Bessie Coleman’s life became an inspiration to women, Native Americans, and African Americans.

At a time when all three minorities had limited resources, she found a way to beat the odds. Brave Bessie is an inspirational woman because she beat the odds when they were all stacked against her. She made a name for herself in history and African Americans, Native Americans, snd women of all races can be proud to call her one of their own.