Bessie Coleman: A High-Flying Hero

Bessie Coleman is a woman to honor. She is noted as the First African-American Female Pilot, but she was so much more. She was also the First Native American Female Pilot, as her father was born of both races.

Bessie Coleman, Sharecropper’s Daughter

This girl was born into a family of sharecroppers in Texas.

She was dutiful to her parents, but had dreams no one could imagine in the early 1900s. 

She wanted to fly.

When becoming a pilot in America in the early 1920s wasn’t an option, she saved her money, learned French and moved to France to learn to fly.

What an amazing thing!

Bessie Coleman, An Aviation Pioneer

After getting her pilot’s license she returned to the United States to lecture and fly in air shows. 

During her shows she was knows as “Brave Bessie” or “Queen Bess.”

She even had dreams of opening a school for African American girls.

I decided blacks should not have to experience the difficulties I had faced.

Bessie Coleman

Her life and death are interesting, but I’m not sure I’d share with kindergartners exactly how she died. (She fell out of a plane during a practice run for an air show.)

Enjoy this free 4 square about this amazing lady. Click the picture above or this link: Bessie Coleman 4 Square.

You may also be interested in the Special People in Black History 4 Square set.

This set honors 22 people who made a difference in history.

Bessie Coleman broke so many barriers you might be surprised to know she broke barriers for African Americans, Native Americans, and Women.

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