Bessie Coleman Black Aviatrix
Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman is an unknown figure in American history. At first, "she complied with society's standard of job opportunities for women at the turn of the century by working as a domestic and later a manicurist" (Creasman 162-3). After feeling unfulfilled, she turned to flying. The search for flying lessons by an African American in the 1920's alone could have discouraged anyone, but not Bessie. Her dream was to open a flight school where young African American men could learn how to fly. This was a bold endeavor for any person regardless of race. After acquiring an international pilot's license, she became somewhat of a novelty. She was African American, a woman, and a pilot. Realizing her power as an attraction, she would only fly in air shows with the understanding that they not be segregated (Freydberg 91). Bessie was very intelligent, often surrounding herself with women and men of power. Examples being Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Josephine Baker, Ethel Wate!rs, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Robert Abbott, Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson, and Kojo Touvalou-Houenou. Ms. Coleman was also active in both the NAACP, and Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (Freydberg 28). She also attended the Second Pan
Due to her state of pregnancy, Celia was very ill. Robert Abbott was very influential in not only Chicago, but also the United States as a whole. She left the South for a better life in Chicago. She battled through the obstacle and attempted to return home, where she would educate others. This was the first real protection offered to African Americans by the United States government. During the period between the death of Celia and the birth of Bessie, there was the Civil War, the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), and the initiation of federal Segregation Laws in 1896 (Freydberg 25). Bessie realized that women were being excluded from aviation, no one would teach her. She finally convinced the Ecole d'Aviation des Freres Caudron at Le Crotoy to let her fly but only after she signed a waiver of liability (Freydberg 81). She would have her children read the bible as well as attend church. Black Eagle: African Americans on Aviation. Powell, the founder and president of the Bessie Coleman Aero Clubs stated that, "because of Bessie Coleman, we have overcome that which was much worse than racial barriers. Bessie coolly stated "I shall never be satisfied until we have men of the Race who can fly" (Rich 36).
Common topics in this essay:
Bessie Coleman,
African American,
Ms Coleman's,
African Americans,
Susan Coleman,
Le Crotoy,
Bessie Celia,
World War,
Texas Mabunda,
European Americans,
bessie coleman,
african american,
african americans,
pilot's license,
world war,
susan coleman,
international pilot's license,
josephine baker,
robert abbott,
american woman,
international pilot's,
african american woman,
period death celia,
josephine baker ethel,
world war aces,
|
Acceptance Essays
