Bessie Coleman Exhibit Photo by George Fiala
Founded in 1988, the Frontiers of Flight Museum spans a vast, 100,000-square-foot campus at Dallas’ Love Field Airport. The Smithsonian Affiliate houses some 35,000 pieces of aviation and space exploration history, from early gliders to Apollo space capsules, and welcomes some 160,000 visitors each year.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Black History Month this February, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is hosting a special exhibit honoring Bessie Coleman, the first Black aviator to earn a pilot’s license and the first American woman to earn an international pilot’s license. The exhibit comprises a hanging Curtiss “Jenny” aircraft—Coleman’s favorite of the two planes she owned—as well as visual displays and an interactive digital experience. All serve to highlight the Texas-born trailblazer’s extraordinary journey, overcoming racial and gender discrimination to soar to heights never before achieved.
Courtesy of the Frontiers of Flight Museum
“Bessie Coleman broke barriers and redefined what was possible in aviation and beyond,” said Abigail Erickson-Torres, President and CEO of the Frontiers of Flight Museum. “We are honored to share her story, and especially to inspire young girls to see themselves as future pioneers.”
The exhibit is sponsored by Microsoft and made possible through the support of Raamel Mitchell and family. In addition, a special collection of books, apparel, and gifts available in the museum store will benefit summer camp scholarships for Dallas-area girls, in honor of Coleman’s legacy. For location, hours, and pricing information, visit flightmuseum.com.
