Friday, December 16, 2011

insight to Bessie Coleman...

insight to Bessie Coleman





















  Good Morning, In my continued and on going research into the life of Bessie Coleman, I just came to realize something else, that Bessie Coleman was everything By Edward DeV. Bunn Jr. said, in his book ‘Lifting as She Climbed: Bessie Coleman's Contributions to the Elevation of Black Women’. I am reading and researching on many levels to get a better understand of Bessie and what she endured to reach the status of ‘stunt pilot’. Last night I was reading Eugene Bullard: Black Expatriate in Jazz-Age Paris by Craig Lloyd, this is an amazing book giving the reader insight to the Black or afro-American pilot and what they endure to reach pilot status, and the female endures even more. First, referencing an article from Aviation Quarterly, the Curtiss JN-4 was one of the most dangerous airplanes on the market where more flying cadets were killed in training than in actual war; because, the cadet flew up front and the instructor in the back seat; eventual this style of instruction was changed where the instructor flew up front and the student in the rear-the instructor new how to correct in problems. The skills of Bessie Coleman were demonstrated when her engine cut off during a air show demonstration, she nosed the plane over into a dive, and the engine started up again, the crown went crazy with applause and Bessie’s notoriety increased. Last night in reading about Eugene Bullard, the first Africa-American male pilot, and the fact that he was able to complete his training in seven months when it took other pilots longer, McConnell stresses how difficult the training was for the initiate leaning to fly the avion de chasse, the fighter plane. To control these small, swift craft on the ground as well as in the air, students had to possess great dexterity of hand and foot. Moreover, fighter planes, unlike larger ones used for reconnaissance or bombing, were one-seaters, and the trainee had to have the courage to take off alone on his first flight. There was a great deal of weeding out among fighter pilots because “a man’s aptitude for the work shows up, and unless he is by nature especially well fitted he is transferred to the division which teaches one to fly the larger and safer (and co-pilot) machines.” Some fifty-six Americans and an untold number of French students pilots failed to meet the demanding requirements and never served at the front*. Now given the above site, remember that Bessie Coleman was 5’4”, 130 pounds, that had to teach herself French and raised her own money for travel and boarding in France, not to mention walking eight-teen miles everyday for her lessons. This is the type of woman you are honoring today. From my research I see Eugene Bullard in the light of a Malcolm X, and Bessie Coleman in the light of Dr. Martin Luther King. Bother were tough, but approached freedom from different paths. Something else you may have or not realized, Eugene Bullard Born: 1895 Enter military 1914 @ the age of 19 Became pilot May 5th, 1917 @ 22 yrs of age-May 5th, 1917 Bessie Coleman Born: born:January,1892The resilience of a women - Bessie Coleman 1892-1926 pilot rating – International Pilot June 15th, 1921 She was 29 years of age She was encouraged by newspaper owner, Robert S. Abbott, while working in a male barbershop as a manicurist. Bessie raised monies for her stunt pilot training by selling chilli in a business she owned. And, she has purchased two Curtiss JN-4s Bessie Coleman was seven years Eugene Bullard's senior... The Resilience of a woman - Bessie Coleman 1892 - 1926





The Resilience of a woman - Bessie Coleman 1892 - 1926   www.wearethelegacy.com

Thursday, December 15, 2011



I'm sure, very sure Bessie Coleman would have been very proud to know this first family...

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The problem here is people are not strong on the truth of the matter, that Bessie Coleman was first! Bessie Coleman was amazing in the territory she covered for a young africa American woman in 1921, by her self. Remember, no instruments, the air plane was just discovered, she was not only the pilot but the mechanic, also.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Bessie Coleman 1892 - 1926



If not you, who?


Good news. Jacksonville, FL will be honoring Bessie 
Coleman memory on the day of her death,, they are 
really throwing in a lot for this memorial. So stand by. 
What I would ask of you and your students is to keep incontact via our web site: www.wearethelegacy.com - also, if I may ask, on Jan 26th, is Bessie's Birthday: Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 
1926), that on Jan 26th, for all students to wear either a picture or her name on the right side of their chest, in her honor; I have started using social media to get the word to President Obama and his family.

Bessie Coleman put a lot on the line for people, particularly people of color, she was influence by the women's movement at that time, and Robert S. Abbott, founder and publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper, yes they did name a postage stamp after her, however, society has swept her under the rug; according to today's standards Bessie Coleman was ahead of her time flying more different type of airplanes than any other women, and it was done in other languages. 

Bessie Coleman taught the reason people don't give up and what happens when they don't. She believed in education, she believed in her self and God. She owned two Curtiss JN-4 airplanes, she knew business and the power of a business knowledge. She knew endurance in what she had to do to fly to the different locations, I just learned that she even flew up to Boston where I live. So, as you can see Bessie Coleman was a very special young woman who died at a young age of 34...her legacy, learn to fly that no one could say that you don't have the aptitude to fly...the one surprising thing to me is, it was not her intention to be popular just respected as a person.

Thursday, December 8, 2011


One of the more interesting things about Bessie Coleman and her family is this trust and confidence in God. Bessie Coleman really knew how to fly the Curtiss JN-4, one of the most dangerous planes on the market; it was once said that more cadets were killed in this plane than combat pilots during the war. Armed with her faith Bessie Coleman flew her stunts with God as her co-pilot...with such a demonstration of courage it baffles me that people will not ask more questions of the times and life of Bessie Coleman. It was interesting in one conversation I had the other day in Queens, NY with a fellow about Bessie Coleman, Eugene Bullard and the Triple Nickels; all I can say id this, wake up you're in the valley of darkest America! What are you going to do when you find out the truth?????????????

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The interesting things about Bessie Coleman was the different assignments she flew in other countries, and they would not hire her to fly in America. She flew in France and Germany - this is all documented, and in some cases we have photographs to prove this, also. As I learn more, I will share more and supply pictures. Stay tuned and please, tell your family and friends...But, there is one thing I must point out and that is, if you like what I'm writing about, please a click on the respective button to pass-on the word, this is very important and leave a comment!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Thinking about Bessie Coleman @ Thanksgiving...



All of us in the aviation-related field and others are standing on the shoulders of Bessie Coleman and others who paved the way.
Today, Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all of the sacrifices, proud of the courage of those like Queen Bess who have stepped out in front.

Hannah Dixon
wearethelegacy.com

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Jan. 26th - Bessie Coleman's birthday: 1/26/1892

Bessie Coleman's birthday is coming up in January, Jan 26th, 1892. I'm asking everyone, even President Obama, to proudly wear her pin in honor of her legacy: www.wearethelegacy.com for yours...

The History of the Bessie Coleman Foundation

A correction supplied by H. Dixon - In 1995, the Bessie Coleman Foundation, Inc.  (now the Bessie Coleman Aerospace Legacy, Inc. (BCAL)  was established by a group of African American female pilots and other African American aviation professionals and enthusiasts.  BCAL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC and can be found at wearethelegacy.com.

When ‘Queen Bess’ earned her pilot’s license only 6% of licensed pilots were female and unfortunately, that percentage has not changed.  Even more striking is the fact that of the 100,000 plus Americans with commercial pilot’s licenses, less than 50 (.005 percent) are African American females.
Our members include African American female pilots, aircraft mechanics, astronauts, air traffic controllers, aviation attorneys and other aeronautical careers and interests.  Members of the Bessie Coleman Aerospace Legacy, Inc. volunteer to continue Bessie’s legacy.   

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving Day, this is where I'll be...

Balloons! Floats! Marching bands! Is anyone else excited for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Pa...  http://tinyurl.com/7jgqjmj Tomorrow #teluproductions

Friday, November 18, 2011


Another amazing story about Bessie Coleman is that she would never give in or give up. Bessie Coleman walked an average of 18 miles each day to and from her flight lessons, and please understand this was in another country - France. She even taught herself to speak in French. So, I guess, obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off of the goal...: www.wearethelegacy.com
http://bit.ly/vYrtwh  Little known, but the word is out! Thank you for your attention and please spread the word.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Bessie Coleman - 1892 to 1926 first female...


Bessie Coleman - 1892 to 1926 first female...to attain a International flying license 1921, on June 15th. A year later she would return to France to train to become a stunt pilot. During her training she would fly assignments for Pathe' Films and others. She was so inspirational that 
Amelia Earhart named her last plane, Old Bessie.

Bessie Coleman was an amazing young woman who knew and understood business, as well as how to fly the various airplanes that she trained in, her favorite was the Curtiss JN-4, she had purchased two of them, unfortunately she was killed in the last one. She was not flying the plane, but her partner Willis was; officials stated that a wrench locked in the gears seemed to have caused the accident, which was in Jacksonville, Fl. 

When Bessie Coleman was not flying, or before her flight demonstration she performed as a motivational speaker, encouraging people to learn more about aviation; she also owned two businesses to put herself through school, which she would walk over eight-teen miles, to and from, to get to her training. Please visit: www.wearethelegacy.com

Just before her death she participated in a flight demonstration in honor of the first female American aviator, Harriet Quimby. Bessie Coleman was influenced by the women’s movement in those days, also. In 1995 the US mint issued a stamp in her honor. There have been many attempts to re-enact her life story on film, 
but usually ran into funding problems. For the young persons aerospace leadership academy training: www.wearethelegacy.com