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