Bessie Coleman for Kids
First Black woman pilot
"Meet Bessie Coleman! She was born in Texas in 1892, when airplanes didn't even exist yet. Bessie grew up picking cotton with her family in the hot sun. Every day was hard work, but Bessie had big dreams. 'I'm going to do something amazing with my life,' she told herself. Bessie loved reading and learning. She walked four miles to her one-room schoolhouse, carrying her books proudly. Even though she had to work in the fields, she never stopped dreaming of a better future."
Fun facts about Bessie Coleman
- Bessie was one of 13 children! She had to help support her family by picking cotton, but she never stopped dreaming of a better life!
- The Wright Brothers flew the first airplane when Bessie was 11 years old - from that moment on, she wanted to fly!
- Bessie saved her money working in a barbershop, doing nails for Chicago's richest people while dreaming of flight school!
- Robert Abbott, publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper, helped pay for Bessie's trip to France because he believed in her dream!
- Bessie learned to fly in just 7 months - most students took much longer! Her instructors said she was a natural pilot!
What your child will learn
- Learn about this amazing person
Read the full illustrated story of Bessie Coleman
The complete lesson has a page-by-page illustrated story and a playful quiz— plus 28 more heroes and hundreds of lessons. Start free, no card needed.
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