ELIZABETH "BESSIE" COLEMAN (1892-1926)
Popularly known as "Queen Bess," was the first black woman to become an airplane pilot.
She had to travel to Europe for flight training because no American flight school would accept her because of her race.
Upon returning, she intended to start a flying school for black pilots. She toured the country, giving lectures at black schools, churches and recreational facilities in an effort to encourage Blacks to enter the field of aviation.
Preparing for an airshow in Jacksonville, Florida, she was killed when she was thrown from a crashing aircraft while riding as a passenger.
