Bessie's full name was Elizabeth (Bessie) Coleman. She was born in Atlanta, Texas on January 26, 1892. She was the first African-American to get her pilot license in Paris, France. June 15, 1926 she got her pilot license by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.
Bessie went to Chicago after her brothers returned from World War One. Nobody would teach a black woman how to fly a plane. She went back to the United States and began a barnstorming career.
Bessie died May 1,1926 in Jackson, Florida. Bessie died from a fall out of an airplane. Her co-pilot lost control of the plane.
The U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp honoring Coleman in 1995. Bessie Coleman was so famous, she had her own doll. She had a park named after her. There was an airplane in the middle of the park. She even had a coin with her face on it! Bessie Coleman has to be special, to have all of that named after her.
Page created on 9/14/2009 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 9/14/2009 12:00:00 AM