Bessie Coleman: America’s First Black Female Aviatrix

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Bessie Coleman: America’s First Black Female Aviatrix

Album Description

We have all heard of Amelia Earhart, but many people still do not know the story of Bessie Coleman. The first female aviation pilot in America, Bessie’s story is one of incredible tenacity and an example of women making history. With February being Black History Month, Bessie Coleman is a wonderful example of an individual who changed the course of history, not only for Black women but for women of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and races. I was inspired to write this post based on my own studies and Cheryl Best's post from 2019. We SHOULD be having more conversations about why amazing and groundbreaking women like Bessie aren't as widely discussed and documented as other figures in aviation.

Bessie Coleman is known as the first Black and Native American woman pilot in the United States. Her nicknames included “Brave Bessie” and “Queen Bess.” Teased by her brother for wanting to be a pilot, Bessie moved to France where she could attend flight school and became a stunt pilot. She faced many challenges, including plane crashes and bad press, but none as bad as the discrimination against her on the basis of her race and sex. Nevertheless, she persevered and overcame many of the challenges presented to her. She was also a fearless activist and fought for the rights of Black Americans.

Bessie Coleman is a wonderful historical figure to teach in your classroom, regardless of age. I would likely use a variety of primary sources, photos, newspapers, and videos. Compare headlines from Bessie’s accomplishments - which newspapers printed which stories? How do the press and media distort our perception of current events, both today and in the past? It may also be interesting, especially with older students, to compare Bessie with other women pilots and the similarities and differences in hardships they faced. Do we still see these hardships today?

Here are some primary sources you could use in the classroom (both in-person and virtually).

aviation flight women making history bessie coleman

The monitor., May 07, 1926, Image 1

Teaching Notes

A newspaper article covering the death of Bessie Coleman.

Reference link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/00225879/1926-05-07/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1777&index=2&rows=20&words=Bessie+Coleman&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=bessie+coleman&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Reference note

Newspaper: The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928
Newspaper Link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/00225879/1926-05-07/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1777&index=2&rows=20&w...
Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
PDF Link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/00225879/1926-05-07/ed-1/seq-1.pdf

Absence of Women Fliers Conspicuous at Ceremony

Reference link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83004231/1949-10-22/ed-1/seq-12/#date1=1777&index=1&rows=20&words=Bessie+Coleman&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=bessie+coleman&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Reference note

Newspaper: The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current
Newspaper Link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83004231/1949-10-22/ed-1/seq-12/#date1=1777&index=1&rows=2...
Image provided by: University of Florida
PDF Link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83004231/1949-10-22/ed-1/seq-12.pdf

Ringel with camera on top wing

Teaching Notes

Not a photo of Bessie, but this demonstrates "barnstorming," a common trick performed by Bessie - WOW!

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/ppmsca.53157/

Reference note

Summary: Photograph shows aerial barnstormer "Jersey" Ringel standing with camera on top of wing of airplane in flight.
Contributor Names: Cline, Walter M., 1873-1941, photographer
Created / Published: [1921]
Subject Headings: - Ringel, Jersey
- Photographers--1920-1930
- Daredevils--1920-1930
- Stunt flying--1920-1930
Genre: Photographic prints--1920-1930
Notes: - J249018 U.S. Copyright Office
- Title from item.
- Exhibited as a digital copy in: "Not an Ostrich: And Other Images from America's Library" at the Annenberg Space for Photography, 2018; Photographers section.
- Annenberg batch 14
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id: ppmsca 53157 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.53157
cph 3b18311 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b18311

Amelia Earhart

Teaching Notes

It's interesting to see how many resources the Library has on Amelia Earhart, but not Bessie Coleman!

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2004671909/

Reference note

Summary: Portrait, head and shoulders, facing front.
Created / Published: c1928.
Notes: - Copyright by Underwood and Underwood.
- This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Digital Id: cph 3a22092 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a22092

Bessie Coleman Bio from National Women's History Museum

[A female aviator with Warren Harding's pet dog Laddie Boy]

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2005677277/

Reference note

Created / Published: [between 1920 and 1923]
Subject Headings: - Harding, Warren G.--(Warren Gamaliel),--1865-1923--Animals & pets
- Dogs--Washington (D.C.)--1920-1930
- Air pilots--Washington (D.C.)--1920-1930
Notes: - Title devised by Library staff.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Digital Id: cph 3c35248 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c35248