American Airlines Partnered with Barbie to Celebrate the Bessie Coleman’s Legacy

In an effort to honor Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman to acquire a pilot’s license in 1921, American Airlines has joined with Barbie.

The “Inspiring ladies Series – Bessie Coleman doll” was given to customers on board flight AA771 from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on 26th January, which was Bessie Coleman’s birthday.

It’s a tribute to Black History Month, which starts in February, that Barbie announced the doll as a part of her Inspiring Women collection. Many other pilots of color have been encouraged and inspired by Coleman’s legacy to pursue careers in aviation.

Coleman, who was born on 26th January 1892, was from a family in Atlanta, Texas, where she grew up working in the cotton fields until enrolling in a term at Langston University. She became quite interested in flying when she was little. However, there were no chances for Native Americans to receive flying instruction at that time in the US.

Coleman was able to travel to France to receive her license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale on June 15, 1921 thanks to her savings and donations from Chicago. Coleman, also known as Queen Bess and Brave Bessie, rose to fame for his risky air shows performances and had ambitions to build an institution for African American pilots. Coleman died in a plane crash in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1926.