The Uncommon Life of Bessie Coleman | Lawrence W. Reed

https://fee.org/articles/the-uncommon-life-of-bessie-coleman/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020_FEEDaily
Born in Texas in 1892, she grew up as one of 13 children in a poor family of cotton sharecroppers. Her mother was African American; her father was part African American and part Native American (either Cherokee or Choctaw). A century ago, being both poor and of minority blood presented you with significant obstacles just about anywhere in the world. You could sulk, complain, or get mad—or you could do what Bessie Coleman did. She overcame barriers with spunk and ambition. She made something of herself.