Bessie Coleman

What I know

What I need to find out

What struggles did she face?

Why and how did she become an aviator?

Who are her relatives?

When and how did she die?

What IB learner profile attributes did she demonstrate?

She was the first African-American woman, and also the first Native-American, to hold a pilot license

Her full name is Elizabeth Coleman

she was an aviator

She died in a plane crash in 1926 while testing a new aircraft

She had 6 siblings, Elois Coleman Patterson, Isaiah Coleman, Georgia Coleman, Walter Coleman, Nilus Coleman and John Coleman. Her parents are Susan Coleman and George Coleman.

Racism, Sexcism, Injuries from machine failing, financial issues.

Her brother John teased her because French women were allowed to learn how to fly airplanes and Bessie could not. This made Bessie want to become a pilot. She applied to many flight schools across the country, but no school would take her because she was both African American and a woman.

Principled

Caring

Communicators

she demonstrated communicators because she confidently expressed herself by standing for gender and race equality

she demonstrated principled because she stood up for gender and race equality which plays into fairness

she demonstrated caring because she was committed to service. She was committed to open a flight school for African Americans and she encouraged for African American women to reach their dreams.