Day 3 - The first African-American woman in the skies

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Bessie Coleman grew up in poverty in Atlanta, GA in 1892. At 23, she moved to Chicago, where stories from WWI soldiers inspired her to pursue aviation. Unfortunately being an African American female prevented her from chasing her dream in the United States, as all American flying schools denied her.

She taught herself French and moved to France in 1920. She earned her license from the Caudron Brother's School of Aviation in just seven months. She became the world's first African American woman to earn a pilot's license.

Coleman specialized in stunt flying. She earned her living performing aerial tricks. In 1922 she piloted the first public flight by an African American woman in America.

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She died on April 30, 1926 in an accident during practice for an aerial show. She was only 34 years old, but was a true pioneer for African American's and women in the field of aviation.

 

And THAT is Junior's Black History Month Fact Of The Day!

 

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