Bessie Coleman: A Trailblazer in Aviation

Bessie Coleman, known as Queen Bess, was a pioneering African American and Native American pilot. Despite facing racial and gender barriers, she pursued her dream of flying by training in France. She became the first Black and Native American woman to earn a pilot's license. Bessie returned to the U.S. as a barnstormer, performing daring stunts to inspire others. Her legacy lives on through the Bessie Coleman Aero Club, established in her honor after her tragic death at 36.

What inspired Bessie Coleman to pursue a career in aviation?

• A family member who was a pilot

• A book she read about aviation

• A dream she had as a child

• Her brother's stories about women pilots in France

Why did Bessie Coleman travel to France to learn flying?

• She had family living in France

• She wanted to learn from the best pilots in the world

• Flight schools in America did not accept her due to her gender and race

• She received a scholarship to study in France

What was Bessie Coleman's major achievement in France?

• Teaching other women to fly

• Becoming the first woman to fly a biplane

• Earning a pilot license from the French International Federation of Aeronautics

• Winning a flying competition

What is barnstorming?

• A type of farming technique

• A method of building barns

• A form of aerial performance involving stunts

• A style of music popular in the 1920s

What did Bessie Coleman do after recovering from her plane crash?

• She retired from flying

• She became a flight instructor

• She opened a restaurant

• She returned to barnstorming

What was one of Bessie Coleman's goals related to aviation?

• To fly around the world

• To become the richest pilot in the world

• To invent a new type of airplane

• To establish a flight school for African Americans

What caused the plane crash that led to Bessie Coleman's death?

• A bird strike

• A loose wrench in the plane's controls

• Pilot error

• Bad weather conditions

What was established in Bessie Coleman's honor after her death?

• A museum

• A scholarship fund

• A national holiday

• The Bessie Coleman Aero Club

How did Bessie Coleman hope to inspire others?

• By starting a charity organization

• By living her life always looking up and overcoming challenges

• By writing a book about her life

• By becoming a politician

What did the founder of the Bessie Coleman Aero Club say about her impact?

• She helped overcome barriers within ourselves and dared to dream

• She was the best pilot of her time

• She was a pioneer in aviation technology

• She was a great teacher