History Fact: Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, the tenth of thirteen children. Her parents were sharecroppers, and her father was of Native American and African American heritage while her mother was African American. Growing up in poverty, Bessie worked in the cotton fields while attending a segregated one-room school. She showed early determination, walking miles to attend school and excelling in math.

BJ