Bassie Coleman

Who She Is: 

Bessie Coleman, born in 1892, became the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Denied training opportunities in the United States, she traveled to France, where she completed flight school and returned as a barnstorming stunt pilot. Known as “Brave Bessie,” she thrilled audiences with daring tricks while standing as a role model for people excluded from aviation.

 

Why She Matters: 

Coleman showed that passion can overcome prejudice. She proved to young dreamers that even when doors close, determination can open new paths. For students today, her courage highlights the importance of chasing goals, even when the odds seem stacked against you.