In this one woman show with power point, the hopes and dreams of
a young sharecropper's daughter of African American and Cherokee heritage, shows us that the sky’s the limit. Share her accomplishments and adventures as the first African American women pilot trains in France and captures the hearts of Americans. After the performance, explore the contributions of African Americans and women in flight in the galleries of America’s favorite Air & Space Museum.

A Closer Look – About the Performance:

This first person portrayal is part of the ‘Meet the Museum’ series: a performance and gallery tour in one visit. We present this very special 30 minute play about the heroic African American heroine Bessie Coleman in the intimacy of the National Air and Space’s Learning Center and then audiences proceed up to an exciting 30 minutes gallery viewing of related objects in ‘Gallery 208’ in one of the most popular Smithsonian exhibits on the Mall.

The young, ambitious and heroic Bessie Coleman will inspire audiences to soar with their dreams in this true story of a pioneer of aviation. Bessie looked to the sky for the freedom that eluded both women and Blacks in the early twentieth century, and by guts and perseverance won her dream of recognition, success and immortality by becoming an inspiration to young fliers to strive for what seems only a dream. Museum theater performer Tiernan Madorno brings her to life, heart and soul, speaking directly to the children, and speaking of future fliers, who will then be viewed in the second half of this unique Discovery Theater program.

About Bessie Coleman:

On June 15 1921, Bessie Coleman received the first pilot's license issued to an African American, male or female, from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. Coleman was a bravely independent and determined woman, who decided that learning to fly provided an exciting challenge. However, in the early years of the 20th century she had two strikes against her: her race and her gender.

Unable to secure flight training in the United States, she went to France and earned her license. She returned to the United States in September of 1921, and began to perform in the Chicago area, doing aerobatic loops and figure eights. Her ultimate goal was to establish a flying school for African Americans.

In 1925 she moved to Houston and performed throughout the South, drawing multi-cultural crowds. She had nearly reached her goal of opening a school, when on April 30, 1926, she went up for a practice flight for a May Day celebration in Orlando, Florida. About ten minutes into the flight, the Curtiss Jenny biplane, piloted by her mechanic and publicity agent, William Will, went into a nose dive and flipped. Coleman, who had not fastened her seatbelt, was thrown from the plane and plunged to her death.

Her brief flying career inspired many young African Americans to enter the field of aviation and her legacy continues in the form of aviation clubs and tributes, including the 1995 U.S. postal stamp issued in her honor. Each year on the anniversary of her death, African American pilots fly over "Brave Bessie's" grave in Chicago to drop flowers in her honor.
https://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/women_aviators/bessie_coleman.htm


Pioneers of Flight Exhibit- National Air & Space Museum, Gallery 208:

After the show, check out some other ‘Pioneers of Flight’ at the Air and Space Museum!  Since the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, men and women have had to break both physical and psychological barriers to flight. In these historic aircraft, individuals of all kinds strove to claim their place in aviation history.  For more information about the exhibit, please visit their website at https://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal208/gal208.html.

About the Meet the Museum Series:

Look for other Meet the Museum partnerships offered in Smithsonian museums on and off the mall. These programs are specially designed by Discovery Theater and the education departments of the nation’s top museums to engage young people during their visits to the Smithsonian and foster scholarship (and fun!) Each program introduces themes and topics in a 20-30 minute Discovery Theater performance in a theater or space within a museum. The main event is the gallery visit to see objects, artifacts, or artwork on that theme; all in a one hour format (more time in the galleries is always an option). We have planned a very special day for you and your children: plan to attend them all!