Bessie Coleman (1892 - 1926)
Born in Atlanta, Texas, Coleman was of both Native American and African American descent. While working as a Chicago manicurist when her brothers came home from serving as aviators in World War 1. This inspired Coleman's determination, but she was denied from American flight schools because she was African American and a woman. So, she taught herself French and applied and got entrance to the Caudron Brothers' School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. After earning her license in 1921, she became a novelty. People awed at her and she encouraged other African Americans and women to also fly. She would perform tricks and speak up against discrimination. It was while flying William Wills, that wrench got stuck in the engine, flipping the plane over and Coleman fell to her death at the age of 34.
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