From the Annals of the Aviators – In 1892, Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was born in Atlanta. In 1921, she became the world’s first licensed African-American pilot. Bessie was the 10th of 13 children George and Susan Coleman. George was Cherokee, Choctaw and African-American. Susan was African-American. Coleman grew up in Waxahacie and attended the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. Unable to study in the U.S. she went to France to obtain her license. Upon her return to the U.S., she was a sensation as a barn-storming daredevil pilot. Unfortunately, she died in a plane crash at the age of 34.
Paradise in Hell 