Have you ever looked up at an airplane and wondered what it would feel like to fly?

Long ago, in the early 1900's, there was a young woman from Texas who wondered the same thing.

                Her name was Bessie Coleman. Follow along in her diary to discover how one woman from Texas took her dreams to the sky!

January 26, 1892

Atlanta, Texas

Today I was born! Mama says I am the tenth of thirteen children! I am African American on my mom's side, and African and Native American on my dad's side! Our family works as sharecroppers. Life will not be easy. But when I look at the wide Texas sky, I feel it calling me.

September 1898

Waxahachie, Texas

We moved here when I was little. I walk four miles each day to our tiny school. Books are scarce, but I love math! I tell myself, "Someday, I will do something great."

1915

Chicago, Illinois

I am 23 years old now. My brothers live here, so I joined them. I work as a manicurist in a barbershop. My brother, a World War I veteran, teased me about French women flyers! I'll show him that I can do that too!

1916

I want to be a pilot! But every American flight school says no. They see my skin color and my gender and close the door. Still, I will not stop dreaming.

November 9th, 1920

Aha! I did it! I learned French and saved money so that I can go to flight school in France! I just got my American passport and got my tourist visa for one year! See you soon, France!

November 20th, 1920

Le Crotoy, France

At last! I am in flight school! In fact, I am in France's most famous flight school- the Ecole d’Aviation des Frères Caudron! Here is a picture of me and my colleagues!

June 15th, 1921

Paris, France

I did it! Today, I became the first African American woman and Native American to earn a pilot's license. I will take this dream home to America.