Bessie Coleman

Biography

Bessie Coleman made history as the first Black woman to hold an international pilot's license, training in France when barriers at home kept her from the skies. Her daring aerial exhibitions thrilled audiences while sending a clear message of determination and equality to those who had been told the heavens were out of reach.

Though her life ended too soon, her legacy endures as a beacon for women and people of color pursuing dreams in aviation and beyond, a spirit honored by visitors to Lincoln Cemetery.