Bessie Coleman

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I Made Up My Mind To Try. I Tried and Was Successful!
(Bessie Coleman 1921)

“I thought it was my duty to risk my life to learn aviation and to encourage flying among men and women of our Race who are so far behind the white race in this modern study. I made up my mind to try. I tried and was successful” (Chicago Defender August 26, 1922)

“But I shall never be satisfied until we have men of the race who can fly. Do you know that you have never lived until you have flown? “(Chicago Defender October 8, 1921)

“You tell the world I’m coming back!”
(Chicago Defender March 10, 1923)

“I want to interest the Negro in flying and thus help the best way I’m equipped in to uplift the colored race... I plan to turn Uncle Tom’s cabin into a flying hanger.” (Houston Dispatch May 7, 1925)


The Coleman family hopes that you find the information on this website useful and resourceful. We have shared a bit of Coleman family fun and have also included information about the many men and women who have fulfilled Aunt Bessie’s dreams.

We plan to update this website quarterly, so if you have news to share and/or someone who you think we should feature please email us.
We would love the opportunity to represent Bessie Coleman at your venue. So please feel free to contact us for speaking engagements including “The Life of Bessie Coleman”.

A minimum of six weeks advance notice is preferred. Travel expenses and other accommodations may be required.

Email us at info@bessiecoleman.org