1. First African American Aviator By – Jennifer J. Harrell
Bessie Coleman

2. Who was Bessie Coleman? Born on January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas.
Died in a crash on April 30, 1926.
Bessie lived a poor life. Her mother pushed her to do something important with her life.

3. Key Events that Shaped Bessie’s Life
Worked in a barber shop
Stories of the WWI pilots intrigued her
In an article in Highlights for Children, it said, “All the articles I read finally convinced me I should be up there flying and not just reading about it.”

4. The Wright Brothers and Harriet Quimby
The Wright Brothers were the first white men to fly.
Harriet Quimby was the first white female to fly.
Both inspired Coleman to become the first African American to make history.

5. Robert Abbott Owner of Chicago’s African American newspaper
Suggested Coleman go to France to get a pilot’s license where skin color didn’t matter
His articles in his newspaper influenced her to want to become a pilot.

6. Symbol of Courage and Perseverance
Moved to France to learn a whole new language
Perseverance
Broke her leg and several ribs
According to Highlights for Children, she wrote to her friends and fans, “Tell them all that as soon as I can walk I’m going to fly!”

7. Effects she had on society
Wanted to fly to earn money to help fund a school for aviation for African Americans
People believed in her cause – Caucasian man bought her a new plane after her one crash
1925 – traveled around to get money to fund her aviation school

8. Influences even after she is gone
1929 – the Bessie Coleman Aero Clubs are started.
Taught African Americans how to be pilots
1931 – These clubs supported the 1st African American airshow.
Her experience connected to Willa B. Brown – 1st African American to get a commercial license and part founder of a flight school in Chicago.

9. Coleman and Me
Bessie Coleman makes me realize that no matter what kind of background you grow up in, you can still do something great with your life.
She is an inspiration to me and is a role model for all young people no matter their ethnicity.

10. Works Cited for Research
Bolden, Tonya. Portraits of African AmericanHeroes. New York: Dutton Chidren’s Books, 2003.
Reed, Gretchen. “Coleman, Bessie.” World Book Student. World Book, Web. 10 Jan
Sutcliffe, Jane. “Fly high, Bessie Coleman.” Highlights for Children. Feb. 2004:p KidInfo Bits. Gale.
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11. Works Cited for Images
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