Bessie Coleman: The First Black and Native American Woman Pilot
About this project
Bessie Coleman: Courage Above Every Barrier
This original portrait bust honors the pioneering aviator whose determination changed the history of flight and expanded what generations of women and Black Americans could imagine.
Denied access to American flight schools because of her race and gender, Bessie Coleman learned French, traveled to France and earned an international pilot license in 1921.
Known as “Brave Bessie” and “Queen Bess,” Coleman became a celebrated exhibition pilot. She used her public profile to encourage Black participation in aviation and resisted discriminatory practices at the venues where she appeared.
The Statues.com Art Team developed this portrait as an accessible tribute to Coleman’s ambition, confidence and lasting influence. Its compact scale is suited to classrooms, libraries, offices, aviation spaces and personal collections.
Historical context: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.