Claire Dawson
Bessie Coleman was a trailblazing aviator who broke barriers as the first African-American and Native-American woman to obtain a pilot's license. Born in 1892 in a one-room cabin in Atlanta, Texas, Coleman grew up in a family of sharecroppers, working in the cotton fields from a young age. Her birth was not officially recorded, and she faced significant racial discrimination throughout her life. Coleman's determination to become a pilot led her to France, where she earned her license, and she later returned to the US to perform daredevil stunts in air shows. While the specific hospital where Bessie Coleman was born is not known, her story and achievements continue to inspire people worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth | Atlanta, Texas |
| Date of Birth | 26 January 1892 |
| Parents | George and Susan Coleman |
| Birth Order | 10th of 13 children |
| Family Background | Sharecroppers of Native American and African-American descent |
| Early Life | Worked in cotton fields and attended segregated schools |
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What You'll Learn
- Bessie Coleman was born in a one-room cabin in Waxahachie, Texas
- Her birth was not recorded on a birth certificate or in a family Bible
- Her parents, George and Susan Coleman, were Texas-born sharecroppers of Native American and African-American descent
- She was the tenth of 13 children
- She attended segregated schools in Waxahachie, Texas
Bessie Coleman was born in a one-room cabin in Waxahachie, Texas
Coleman's birth was not recorded on a birth certificate or in a family Bible, as her parents, who were both Texas-born, could neither read nor write. It is unclear whether they had been enslaved before the Civil War. Susan's family was originally from Georgia and had migrated to Texas before Coleman's birth. George's family had significant Native American roots, with three of his grandparents being Native American—most likely Choctaw or Cherokee.
Coleman began her education in a one-room, segregated schoolhouse in Waxahachie at the age of six. She walked four miles each day to school, where she excelled in mathematics and reading. At age twelve, she was accepted into the Missionary Baptist Church School on a scholarship. Determined to further her education, she later enrolled at Langston University in Oklahoma, where she completed one term before returning home due to financial constraints.
Waxahachie, Texas, holds a significant place in Coleman's life and legacy. She lived and attended school there as a child, and it was in Waxahachie that she faced racial segregation during an airshow performance in her hometown. Refusing to perform to a segregated audience with separate admission gates for African Americans and whites, Coleman stood up for civil rights and demanded a single entrance for all attendees. Her bold stance against racial discrimination in her hometown left a lasting mark on the community.
Today, Bessie Coleman's legacy continues to be honoured in Waxahachie. Bessie Coleman Middle School in Cedar Hill, Texas, and Bessie Coleman Boulevard in Waxahachie bear her name. Her inspiring journey as a pioneer in aviation and her unwavering commitment to racial equality have left an indelible mark on the town where she spent her formative years.
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Her birth was not recorded on a birth certificate or in a family Bible
Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas. Her birth was not recorded on a birth certificate or in a family Bible. Her parents, Susan and George Coleman, were illiterate, and it is unclear whether they were enslaved before the Civil War. Bessie was born within the Jim Crow era, a time when a racial caste system disenfranchised African Americans and violently threatened their lives.
Coleman was born in a one-room cabin and was the tenth of thirteen children. Her parents were sharecroppers, and all members of the family worked in the cotton fields. Four of her siblings died very young. The surviving Coleman children attended school when they could be spared from work. Bessie started school when she was six, walking four miles to the one-room school that Black children were allowed to attend.
Coleman's father was of African and Native American ancestry, most likely Choctaw or Cherokee. His family had significant Native American roots. Coleman's mother was of African ancestry. Her family had migrated to Texas from Georgia before Bessie's birth. When Bessie was nine, her father, tired of dealing with the racism in Texas, moved to an Indian reservation in Oklahoma.
Coleman's family eventually bought a three-room house in a neighboring town, but they continued to earn a living in the cotton fields. Bessie used her math and record-keeping skills to ensure that her family was not being cheated by storekeepers, who often took advantage of pickers' lack of education. A railroad track through town separated the white and Black areas.
Despite the challenges of growing up in a racially segregated society, Coleman went on to become the first African American woman to obtain an international pilot's license. She broke barriers and inspired generations of African American and female aviators.
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Her parents, George and Susan Coleman, were Texas-born sharecroppers of Native American and African-American descent
Bessie Coleman was born in a one-room cabin in Waxahachie, Texas, on January 26, 1892. She was the tenth of 13 children, born to Texas-born sharecroppers of Native American and African-American descent, George and Susan Coleman.
Coleman's father, George Coleman, was of African and Native American ancestry. He may have had Cherokee or Choctaw grandparents. His father was from Indian Territory, and his mother was from Missouri. George's family had significant Native American roots. Three of his grandparents were Native American.
Coleman's mother, Susan Coleman, was of African ancestry. Her family was originally from Georgia and had migrated to Texas before her birth. Coleman's parents were both illiterate and worked as sharecroppers, picking cotton for a landowner. Every member of the family worked in the cotton fields, and the children attended school whenever they could be spared from work.
The Colemans eventually bought a three-room house in a neighbouring town, still earning a living in the cotton fields. Bessie Coleman's father grew tired of the racism the family experienced and moved to an Indian reservation in Oklahoma when she was nine years old. Coleman and her siblings worked in the fields and attended segregated schools. She was determined to further her education and worked to save money for college. She enrolled at Langston University in Oklahoma but could only afford one term before returning home to Texas.
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She was the tenth of 13 children
Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, as the tenth of 13 children. Her parents, George and Susan Coleman, were sharecroppers of Native American and African-American descent. They were both illiterate, and Bessie's birth was not recorded on a birth certificate or in a family Bible. The family lived in a one-room cabin, and all members worked in the cotton fields from a young age. Bessie's father, George, had significant Native American roots, with three of his grandparents being Native American—most likely from the Choctaw or Cherokee tribe.
Bessie was one of thirteen children, and her early life was marked by hardship and segregation. Four of her twelve siblings died very young, and the surviving Coleman children attended school when they could be spared from work. Bessie started school when she was six, walking four miles to the one-room school that Black children were allowed to attend. Despite the challenges she faced, Bessie was determined to pursue an education. She enrolled in the Missionary Baptist Church School on a scholarship when she was twelve and later attended Langston University in Oklahoma, where she completed one term before returning home due to financial constraints.
Bessie's large family and early experiences with segregation and racial discrimination likely influenced her pioneering spirit and commitment to promoting aviation and combating racism. She refused to participate in aviation events that prohibited the attendance of African Americans and used her fame as a stunt pilot to advocate for integration at venues where she performed. Bessie's goal was to establish a flying school for African Americans, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of aviators.
Bessie Coleman's birth order as the tenth of thirteen children shaped her resilience and determination to pursue her dreams despite the obstacles she faced. Her family's history of sharecropping and the racial discrimination they experienced fueled her passion for breaking barriers and creating opportunities for African Americans in the field of aviation.
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She attended segregated schools in Waxahachie, Texas
Bessie Coleman was born in a one-room cabin in Atlanta, Texas, on January 26, 1892. She was the tenth of thirteen children born to a family of sharecroppers. Her parents, George and Susan Coleman, were Texas-born and of African-American and Native American descent. Her father's family had significant Native American roots, with three of his grandparents being Native—most likely Choctaw or Cherokee.
When Bessie was young, her family moved to Waxahachie, Texas. Here, she attended segregated schools, completing all eight grades in a one-room, segregated schoolhouse. At the time, Black children attended separate schools, which were usually of lower quality than those for white children. Coleman started school at the age of six, walking four miles to the school that Black children were allowed to attend. The Colemans eventually bought a three-room house in a neighbouring town, still earning a living in the cotton fields.
In addition to her work in the cotton fields, Coleman attended school whenever she could. She showed a strong work ethic and dedication to her education, using her math and record-keeping skills to ensure her family was not cheated by storekeepers, who often took advantage of pickers' lack of education. A railroad track through town separated the white and Black areas, illustrating the stark racial divide in Waxahachie.
Coleman's father, tired of dealing with the pervasive racism in Texas, moved to an Indian reservation in Oklahoma when she was nine years old. Despite the challenges of growing up in a segregated society, Coleman persevered and continued her education. At age twelve, she was accepted into the Missionary Baptist Church School on a scholarship, demonstrating her academic promise.
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Frequently asked questions
Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas, in a one-room cabin.
She was born on January 26, 1892.
Her parents were George and Susan Coleman, who were of Native American and African-American descent.
She was the tenth of 13 children, although four died very young.
Her parents were sharecroppers, and every member of the family worked in the cotton fields.
