Attended a one‑room segregated school in Waxahachie, Texas and later earned a scholarship to the Missionary Baptist Church School. Bessie worked to continue her education and completed one term at Langston University before finances forced her to return home.
In 1915, Bessie moved to Chicago, lived with her brother, and worked as a beautician and manicurist. There she met Chicago Defender publisher Robert Abbott and listened to World War I pilots describe flying. Inspired, she took a second job to save money, but U.S. flight schools barred both women and Black students. With encouragement from Abbott and financial support from banker Jesse Binga and the Defender, she set her sights on France.
After teaching herself French, Bessie traveled overseas and on June 15, 1921 earned her international pilot’s license—becoming the first African American woman to do so.
Returning in 1922, she debuted at an airshow honoring the all‑Black 369th Infantry Regiment and was billed as “the world’s greatest woman flier.” Bessie soon became a celebrated barnstormer known as “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie,” performing loops, figure eights, and daring low dives. She refused to perform unless audiences were desegregated.
Saving to open a flight school for Black aviators, Bessie was tragically killed on April 30, 1926 during a rehearsal when a wrench jammed her aircraft’s controls. She was 34.
Her legacy lives on, inspiring generations of Black aviators—including the Tuskegee Airmen and NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, who carried Bessie’s photo aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. SALUTE!!!
Take Flight is a handcrafted piece of jewelry made with 10mm Citrine and Larimar Quartz gemstones.
The perfect piece to complement any outfit.
Attended a one‑room segregated school in Waxahachie, Texas and later earned a scholarship to the Missionary Baptist Church School. Bessie worked to continue her education and completed one term at Langston University before finances forced her to return home.
In 1915, Bessie moved to Chicago, lived with her brother, and worked as a beautician and manicurist. There she met Chicago Defender publisher Robert Abbott and listened to World War I pilots describe flying. Inspired, she took a second job to save money, but U.S. flight schools barred both women and Black students. With encouragement from Abbott and financial support from banker Jesse Binga and the Defender, she set her sights on France.
After teaching herself French, Bessie traveled overseas and on June 15, 1921 earned her international pilot’s license—becoming the first African American woman to do so.
Returning in 1922, she debuted at an airshow honoring the all‑Black 369th Infantry Regiment and was billed as “the world’s greatest woman flier.” Bessie soon became a celebrated barnstormer known as “Queen Bess” and “Brave Bessie,” performing loops, figure eights, and daring low dives. She refused to perform unless audiences were desegregated.
Saving to open a flight school for Black aviators, Bessie was tragically killed on April 30, 1926 during a rehearsal when a wrench jammed her aircraft’s controls. She was 34.
Her legacy lives on, inspiring generations of Black aviators—including the Tuskegee Airmen and NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, who carried Bessie’s photo aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. SALUTE!!!
Take Flight is a handcrafted piece of jewelry made with 10mm Citrine and Larimar Quartz gemstones.
The perfect piece to complement any outfit.
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