Bessie

This evening Bessie popped up on a vintage news page I follow. I thought I'd heard of all the female aviation pioneers but clearly not. She succeeded in her ambition against the odds and was an inspiration to many. I admire her spirit and determination.

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot licence. More of her story here.