Sophomore Reflects On The Importance Of Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman has always been a big part of my life. Whenever there was a chance for me to pick a woman to do a project on, it was her. All the times that I wrote about her, I always learned something new. 

Bessie Coleman was the first African American and Native American woman pilot, making great history for the African American race. She was just that girl, hence the nickname she donned “Queen Bess”.

She is an inspiration to me because she never settled. She went to school three times, finishing one semester at Langston University, Burnham School of Beauty Culture and finally Caudron Brothers’ School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France, where she earned her pilot license.

When Coleman finally obtained her license, the first thing she wanted to do was share. She gave speeches and performed all across the South and if the venues that she was scheduled to perform at were segregated, she refused. 

Her refusal to perform actually changed something in Texas. The venue owners wanted blacks and whites to go through different gates but Coleman’s stubbornness made them allow everyone in through one gate. 

Coleman was a strong-headed person and she worked hard to get what she wanted. She left an impact on hundreds of people and she deserves to be more well-known.

 If I could say anything to her I would say: “Thank you Bessie for never giving up on your dreams, you have inspired me all my life and you will continue to inspire me to reach for the skies.”