OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaBessie Coleman was a brave pilot who loved to do tricks in the sky! She was the very first African American and Native American woman to get a pilot’s license. Bessie showed everyone that you can do anything if you believe in yourself!
Bessie earned her pilot’s license in France in 1921, becoming the first African American and Native American woman to do so! When she flew, she did loop-the-loops and figure eights in her airplane. People came from all over to watch her fly in big air shows. She wanted to open a school to teach other African Americans how to fly, too.
- Bessie Coleman had to learn French so she could attend flight school in France!
- She was nicknamed “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie” for her daring flying tricks.
- No flight school in America would accept her, so she traveled across the ocean to follow her dream!
