Early Life

Susan and Geoge Coleman married in 1875.  Susan was 20 years old, older than most black brides in the South.  On January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, Susan produced the tenth of what would be thirteen children, and named the baby Bessie. Bessie's arrival was never recorded on a birth certificate or in a family Bible, as neither parent could read or write.  Although it is not known whether Bessie's parents were freed slaves, we do know that three of Bessie's great-grandparents were Indian - probably Cherokee or Choctaw.  As the eldest child of the family, Bessie took care of the younger children.           In 1902, Bessie's once pleasant childhood suffered a tragic upset when her father left the family after offering Susan the explanation that he had had too much of Texas

and, in Oklahoma, his Indian lineage could offer an escape from Texas racism.  Nevertheless, in 1910, Bessie completed eight grades of schooling and left for Langston, Oklahoma to enroll in the Colored Agricultural and Normal University under the more elegant surname of "Elizabeth Coleman."  However, due to lack of financial resources, Bessie was only able to complete one term before returning to Waxahachie.  Still in search of greener pastures, Coleman left for Chicago in 1915, which was considered the "promised land," as it offered the excitement and opportunities of big city life.  On January 30, 1917 Bessie married Claude Glenn, a friend of her brother Walter's and fourteen years her senior.          Almost five years after arriving in Chicago, Bessie realized her true calling at the teasing of her intoxicated brother, John.  He was telling Bessie that the French women he met while fighting in World War II were far superior to the Chicago women, in that they had jobs and even flew planes.  He said, "You nigger women ain't never goin' to fly...Not like those women I saw in France."  This comment sparked an interest in Bessie, and directed her towards her destiny... (1)

(1) Doris L. Rich, Queen Bess: Daredevil Aviator (Washington, Smisthonian Institute Press, 1993), 1-27.

[Home] [Early Life] [Aviator School] [Flying Career] [Death] [Photo Gallery] [Black Wings] [Commemorative Stamp] [Literature] [Comments]