Bessie Coleman’s brothers served in World War I. She was fascinated by their stories about their time in France, especially about the fact that women could fly airplanes. Unfortunately, none of the flight schools would let her attend because she was African American and a woman.

In 1922, Bessie Coleman received her air pilot’s license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in France and had her first public flight. She became the first African American woman as well Native American woman to become a pilot. Bessie performed at flight shows but would often refuse to go to segregated places.

Bessie had planned to open an aviation school, but on April 30, 1926 she lost her life during an exhibition in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bessie Coleman Coloring Page