Bessie Coleman Research Paper

Bessie Coleman looked down to see a cheering crowd below her as she sat in the pilot seat perfectly executing figure eights, loops and near ground dives. As the first African American women to stage a public flight in America, Bessie Coleman broke down racial barriers to reach her dream, inspiring many along the way. Coleman overcame adversity and obstacles in her life in order to accomplish her goal of becoming a pilot, worked extremely hard in order to have a very successful career, and paved the way for future pilots. Coleman was born in 1892 in Atlanta, Texas. One of 13 kids, Coleman grew up sharing everything, and learning how to adapt when her family was short on things like food or money. Her family lived in a one room dirt floor Cabin, and Coleman and her siblings were raised during a time of segregation and racial tension. Coleman’s grandparents were slaves. After her father left the family while Coleman was still young, she was given the responsibility of taking care of her siblings while her mother worked. Though this put pressure on

She accomplished what no other black women had done, and was a pioneer in the aviation. By overcoming racial and gender barriers, coleman sent the message to future pilots and others that they could do it too. Throughout her career, justice and equality were important to coleman. Her ultimate goal was to be a leader to future african american pilots, and open up an aviation school in the US for African american pilots. Lieutenant William J. Powell, a pioneer aviator and civil rights activist, wrote that “Because of bessie Coleman, we have overcome that which was worse than racial barriers. We have overcome the barriers within ourselves and dared to dream.” Colemans work and accomplishments paved the way for future generations of