February is Black History Month, the time of year to celebrate the influence Black figures have had not just on the country but also on the world.
Today, the Edison Public Library recognizes aviator Bessie Coleman.
Born in 1892, Bessie Coleman was raised in Waxahachie, Texas, to sharecropper parents. Her father was of Native American descent and her mother of African-American descent. When she turned 18, Bessie enrolled in the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma, but only completed one semester of school before her savings ran out and she was forced to move home.
While working as a manicurist in Chicago, Bessie heard stories from pilots returning from wartime about their adventures flying aircraft. Bessie was enamored with a dream of becoming a pilot, but because American aviation schools did not admit women nor African-Americans, she moved to Paris, France to earn her pilot’s license. Her determination in following her dream earned her the honor of becoming the first Black woman to hold a pilot’s license.
Coleman quickly made a name for herself by flying in highly dangerous airshows as a stunt flier, which earned her the nickname “Queen Bess.” Her name on the bill drew audiences across the country and she was often invited to important events. She became an outspoken advocate with the advancement of Black Americans and would outright refuse to participate in any event that prohibited the attendance of African-Americans.
In 1926, Coleman died as her plane went into a sudden dive and spin, which threw her from the cockpit at a height of 2,000 feet. Despite her recognition, her death was scarcely mentioned in the prevailing media, with only African-American press reporting on the news. Though Bessie Coleman lived a short 34 years, she left a lasting impression on American history in general and Black culture specifically. |
