All-Black female crew shows respect to aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

A special American flight operated by an all-Black female crew showed honour to the aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman.

The event was organized to mark the centenary year celebration of Coleman as the first Black woman to pilot a public flight.

Bessie Coleman was the first Black and Native American woman to own a pilot’s license in June 1921. She was also the first of her race to carry out a public fight in 1922.

When she could not obtain her license in the US she has to travel to France to receive the same.


The trailblazer has to perform in aviation shows in the Chicago region. The information has been provided by Transportation Security Administration.

The special flight of American Airlines plies from Dallas to Phoenix.

It included 36 crew members from pilots, cargo crew, flight attendants, plane mechanics and even air traffic controllers.

According to a nonprofit group, the flight was especially noteworthy since less than 1% of pilots in the U.S. are Black women.

American Airlines similarly noted a lack of diversity in its release. Black women have been noticeably underrated in the aviation industry particularly as pilots. They represent less than 15 in the commercial aviation sector.

Through the American Cadet Academy, the airline commits to expand awareness of increase accessibility to the pilot career within diverse communities.

Coleman’s great niece Gigi Coleman commented in a promotional video that she was touched by the carrier’s noble gesture of hosting honourary events.

She also expressed her gratefulness to the American Airlines to give them the opportunity to highlight her great aunt’s accomplishments in the respective industry.

Bessie Coleman left a great legacy which is worthy of the U.S Mint’s honour as well. In the beginning of this year, the federal agency, a bureau within the U.S Treasury Department, announced that it would feature the aviator on 2023.

It is part of the American Women Quarters Program.

After the flight, American Airlines pilots and pilot trainees met with students at the Academies at South Mountain in the Phoenix area to spread awareness of and discuss careers in aviation.

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