Friday, February 20, 2015

African-American History Month: Bessie Coleman

Bessie_Coleman
Bessie Coleman was the First African-American woman to get her pilot's license. She said, " I refused to take no for an answer." She was told no many times when she went to different flight schools. But she knew what she wanted. Doggedly she pursued her dream of being a pilot.



Her story began in 1892 Atlanta, Georgia. She was born to Susan and George Coleman. They moved to Oklahoma in search of better opportunities. She attended school. Then she went to college she was only able to finish one semester due to financial constraints. 


After that she moved to Chicago. She was 23 and had her heart set on flying from the stories she heard in the news about World War I pilots. She tried to go to American Pilot Schools, because she was African-American woman they denied her the opportunity. She wasn't going to let this stop her.  Skilfully she learned French. She was journeying all the way to France where she could learn how to fly without being stopped because of Prejudiced people. 


Finally, she arrived in France. She was full of hope and happiness. She was going to be a pilot. In seven months she adeptly earned her pilot's license at Caudron Brother's School of Aviation. She was officially the First African-American woman to get her pilot's license. 
After receiving her pilot's license, she wanted other African-Americans to have the opportunity to learn to fly. She established a flight school. 

She began to try stunt flying and parachuting. Bravely, she performed many stunts. She was the first African-American to show her flight stunts in public.  She continued this.Tragically she died at an aerial stunt practice at age 34  April 30, 1926 due to accident. She remains forever remembered because she did not take no for any answer.

Here are some quotes from her. 

You've never lived till you've flown!

The air is the only place free from prejudice.

Here are the sources I used:
http://www.biography.com/people/bessie-coleman-36928
http://www.biography.com/people/bessie-coleman-36928

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