Dr. Samori Swygert
Who is Bessie Coleman, and why is she the flyest black woman to me? Bessie “Queen Bess” Coleman was the first African American Female Aviator, and entertainment pilot. Bessie Coleman was born January 26, 1892 and died April 30, 1926. American History makes a big fanfare about Amelia Earhart, but Bessie Coleman got her pilot license the same year Amelia Earhart got her first flight lesson in 1921.
Ms. Coleman has a very intriguing story. She was born in Atlanta, Texas in 1892. Her parents were Susan and George Coleman. Her family moved to Waxahachie, Texas. The family sharecropped cotton to live, sadly the father left and retreated to the Choctaw Reservation of Oklahoma. The mother commandeered the family reigns and continued providing by picking cotton, and enrolling Bessie and her siblings in the labor. Her mother purchased books for Bessie from a traveling library that graced the town twice a year.
Bessie’s interest for flight was sparked when she moved to Chicago to stay with her brothers in 1917. Based on my readings, one brother was a Pullman Car Porter, and her other brother (Johnny) was a cook for Al Capone. Johnny was a World War I veteran that amazed Bessie with all his combat stories. She got a job in the beauty industry and worked as a manicurist. She was trained at the Burnham’ School of Beauty Culture.
Ready for lift off!
Working as a manicurist in the local barber shop, she overheard countless tales and stories from African American World War I veterans. She learned about the discrimination that black pilots experienced in the New York 15th and Illinois 8th black fighter regiments. These two groups had fought in France. She decided that she wanted to fly, so she quit her job. She looked for aviation schools that could teach African Americans and women. America didn’t furnish the training institutions to accommodate her demographic (black women). However, France did, and the French had female pilots in World War I. Bessie started a Chili Parlor on 35th street and Indiana Avenue, and got two prominent African American investors, Robert Abbott (founder of Chicago Defender) and Jesse Binga (founder of Binga State Bank) to fundraise capital for her plans.
By the time Bessie was 24 years old, she had mastered the French language, sailed to Le Crotoy Somme, France, and matriculated into Condrau School of Aviation. 1921 the Federation Aeronautique Intenationale awarded Bessie her international pilots license, and this was the first ever granted to any American woman!
Bessie honed her skills and moved to Paris. When she decided to return to America, she ordered a 130 horsepower Neuport de Chasse plane to be delivered to America, just in case America prohibited her from acquiring one within the country! Unfortunately, the ugly double-headed monster of racism and sexism in America denied her employment in commercial aviation. Frustrated she went back to Europe, and sharpened her skills. She did advanced training in Germany, Holland, and Switzerland. She flew 220 Horsepower Benz motor planes. She was said to be an “ACE PILOT” by countless European aviation companies and stuntman.
Remembering her African American Roots
She returned to America in 1922 performing Nosedives, figure eights, climbs and other difficult flying maneuvers. She would even take black audience members on her flights for $5 rides. Bessie was so bold that she even parachuted out of her planes in airshows. She never forgot her roots of African American inspiration. During her flight exhibitions, she paid homage to the 8th Regiment of Illinois that she always heard tales about as a manicurist. The band leader of the 8th escorted her to her plane, and they serenaded the audience with Jazz music as she flew through the heavens.
Keeping true to her African American roots, she returned to Waxahachie, Texas. Historically speaking, the South was far from ready to see a black female pilot. However, her tenacity weakened the system. She was permitted to perform, but there was a catch. African Americans were not allowed to see. Bessie said she would not perform unless they permitted African Americans to enter… and they did!
She gave back to her community by giving speeches to African Americans at churches, schools, and other available venues.
Tragedy Strikes
1926, Jacksonville, Florida, the Negro Welfare League had invited Bessie to perform and honor her. The availability, and accessibility of planes to African Americans had many restrictions and limitations at the time. Many instances she had to fly refurbished, repaired, lower quality planes. Sadly, the day before her show, she died in a practice run with a white co-pilot/mechanic. Bessie was sitting in the back without a seatbelt, and was ejected from the plane. Her mechanic died also died in the crash. Sources say that an unsecured wrench had slid into the gearbox and jammed it. Bessie tragically fell 500 feet.
Three funerals were performed in her honor and remembrance. Her body was transported by train from Jacksonville to Chicago, and thousands swarmed to pay tribute. Pastor Junius C. Austin conducted the services. It is said he chastised the community for lack for financial support in helping her acquire quality standard planes.
Bessie wanted to start an Aviation School for Black Women, but tragedy struck and intercepted her dream. However, I feel her dream, hard work, diligence, faith, fortitude and execution was enough. I also love the fact that she came back to her community to enhance it. I reread her story, and I really almost came to tears….for real. However, she is another prominent example of our rich heritage. Let’s continue to carry the torch and fly to higher heights. The story of Bessie Coleman also highlights the greatness of our black women.
This makes her the flyest Black Woman to me! We’ve got to redefine the title Queen B, because Queen Bess was granted this decades ago. Rest In Peace Bessie Coleman (January 1892- April 1926).
Source: The African American Century by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Cornel West
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