The resolve of a woman: Bessie Coleman 1892 - 1926

Good Morning,

In my continued and on going research into the life of Bessie Coleman, I just came to realize something else, that Bessie Coleman was everything By Edward DeV. Bunn Jr. said, in his book ‘Lifting as She Climbed: Bessie Coleman's Contributions to the

Elevation of Black Women’.

I am reading and researching on many levels to get a better understand of Bessie and what she endured to reach the status of ‘stunt pilot’. Last night I was reading Eugene Bullard: Black Expatriate in Jazz-Age Paris by Craig Lloyd, this is an amazing book giving the reader insight to the Black or afro-American pilot and what they endure to reach pilot status, and the female endures even more.

First, referencing an article from Aviation Quarterly, the Curtiss JN-4 was one of the most dangerous airplanes on the market where more flying cadets were killed in training than in actual war; because, the cadet flew up front and the instructor in the back seat; eventual this style of instruction was changed where the instructor flew up front and the student in the rear-the instructor new how to correct in problems.

The skills of Bessie Coleman were demonstrated when her engine cut off during a air show demonstration, she nosed the plane over into a dive, and the engine started up again, the crown went crazy with applause and Bessie’s notoriety increased.

Last night in reading about Eugene Bullard, the first Africa-American male pilot, and the fact that he was able to complete his training in seven months when it took other pilots longer,

McConnell stresses how difficult the training was for the initiate leaning to fly the avion de chasse, the fighter plane. To control these small, swift craft on the ground as well as in the air, students had to possess great dexterity of hand and foot. Moreover, fighter planes, unlike larger ones used for reconnaissance or bombing, were one-seaters, and the trainee had to have the courage to take off alone on his first flight. There was a great deal of weeding out among fighter pilots because “a man’s aptitude for the work shows up, and unless he is by nature especially well fitted he is transferred to the division which teaches one to fly the larger and safer (and co-pilot) machines.” Some fifty-six Americans and an untold number of French students pilots failed to meet the demanding requirements and never served at the front1.

Now given the above site, remember that Bessie Coleman was 5’4”, 130 pounds, that had to teach herself French and raised her own money for travel and boarding in France, not to mention walking eight-teen miles everyday for her lessons. This is the type of woman you are honoring today.

From my research I see Eugene Bullard in the light of a Malcolm X, and Bessie Coleman in the light of Dr. Martin Luther King. Bother were tough, but approached freedom from different paths.

Something else you may have or not realized,

Eugene Bullard               

                                                     

Born: 1895                                   

Enter military 1914 @ the age of 19

Became pilot May 5^th, 1917 @ 22 yrs of age-May 5^th, 1917             

                           

Bessie Coleman Born:                                    born:January,1892The resilience of a women - Bessie Coleman 1892-1926  

                    

       pilot rating –     

International Pilot   June 15th, 1921

She was 29 years of age

She was encouraged by newspaper owner, Robert S. Abbott, while working in a male barbershop as a manicurist. Bessie raised monies for her stunt pilot training by selling chilli in a business she owned.

Bessie Coleman was seven years Eugene Bullard's senior...
And, she purchased two Curtiss JN-4s.

The Resilience of a woman - Bessie Coleman 1892 - 1926

I can see Bessie Wanting to give the kids their first flying lesson...

The problem here is people are not strong on the truth of the matter, that Bessie Coleman was first! Bessie Coleman was amazing in the territory she covered for a young africa American woman in 1921, by her self. Remember, no instruments, the air plane was just discovered, she was not only the pilot but the mechanic, also.

If Bessie Coleman could do it in 1921 then what's your problem!

Good news. Jacksonville, FL will be honoring Bessie Coleman memory on the day of her death,, they are really throwing in a lot for this memorial. So stand by. What I would ask of you and your students is to keep in contact via our web site: www.wearethelegacy.com - also, if I may ask, on Jan 26th, is Bessie's Birthday: Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 
1926), that on Jan 26th, for all students to wear either a picture or her name on the right side of their chest, in her honor; I have started using social media to get the word to President Obama and his family.

Bessie Coleman put a lot on the line for people, particularly people of color, she was influence by the women's movement at that time, and Robert S. Abbott, founder and publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper, yes they did name a postage stamp after her, however, society has swept her under the rug; according to today's standards Bessie Coleman was ahead of her time flying more different type of airplanes than any other women, and it was done in other languages. 

Bessie Coleman taught the reason people don't give up and what happens when they don't. She believed in education, she believed in her self and God. Bessie Coleman owned two Curtiss JN-4 airplanes, she knew business and the power of a business knowledge. She knew endurance in what she had to do to fly to the different locations, I just learned that she even flew up to Boston 
where I live. 

So, as you can see Bessie Coleman was a very special young woman who died at a young age of 34...her legacy, learn to fly that no one could say that you don't have the aptitude to fly...the one surprising thing to me is, it was not her intention to be popular just respected as a person.

What also amazes me is this appearance of a hidden relationship between France and the United States...for a long time.

What also amazes me is this appearance of a hidden relationship between France and the United States...for a long time. But, no one will admit to it!

One of the more interesting things about Bessie Coleman and her family is this trust and confidence in God. Bessie Coleman really knew how to fly the Curtiss JN-4, one of the most dangerous planes on the market; it was once said that more cadets were killed in this plane than combat pilots during the war. Armed with her faith Bessie Coleman flew her stunts with God as her co-pilot...with such a demonstration of courage it baffles me that people will not ask more questions of the times and life of Bessie Coleman. It was interesting in one conversation I had the other day in Queens, NY with a fellow about Bessie Coleman, Eugene Bullard and the Triple Nickels; all I can say id this, wake up you're in the valley of darkest America! What are you going to do when you find out the truth?????????????