Denied training in the United States, Bessie Coleman earns an international pilot's license in France, becoming the first Black woman to do so.
At a Glance
- Date
- 15 June 1921
- Location
- France
- Key people
- Bessie Coleman
- Category
- Science, Medicine & Invention
- Source
- Fédération Aéronautique Internationale records (1921) · Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
What It Meant Then
She broke barriers of race and gender in aviation.
What It Means Now
Coleman is celebrated as a pioneer who inspired generations of Black aviators.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Bessie Coleman Earns Her Pilot's License.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/bessie-coleman-earns-her-pilots-license/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Bessie Coleman Earns Her Pilot's License. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/bessie-coleman-earns-her-pilots-license/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Bessie Coleman Earns Her Pilot's License.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/bessie-coleman-earns-her-pilots-license/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.