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.