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On this day in 1892, Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas
January 26
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 26 of January, repeating indefinitely
On this day in 1892, Bessie Coleman, the first African-American and Native American woman pilot was born in Atlanta, Texas. Coleman gave speeches, and lessons, and toured across America and Europe, encouraging other women to pursue flight and dazzling crowds with her daring air tricks.
She also publicly stood up against segregation, refusing to perform or speak at segregated venues.
Did you know? From a young age, Coleman was determined to attend flight school but wasn’t accepted at any in the U.S. because of her gender and race. Undeterred, Coleman began taking night classes to learn French and apply to flight schools overseas. Her efforts paid off and she was accepted to a French school of aviation where she earned her international pilot’s license.
Tragically, she died very young, perishing in a plane crash at the age of 34.
Bessie Coleman, 1923
