Bessie Coleman PORTRAYED BY DAISY CENTURY
The first African American and the first Native American woman pilot, as well as the first American to earn an international pilot's license, Bessie Coleman was a woman who didn’t give up. Born in Texas, raised on a farm, she loved school and walked four miles every day to attend a one-room all-black school through 8th grade. Working with her mother and two sisters, she did laundry, cleaned homes, picked cotton to earn money to finish school. At age 18, she enrolled in the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural Normal University, but only had enough money for one year. Traveling north to Chicago to live with her brothers, she heard stories from pilots returning from World War I and decided to become a pilot. After applying to 3 American aviation schools that refused to teach her, this smart, naturally-gifted “double threat” prepared to study in France. Learning enough French to get by, she enrolled in a French school, the only black person in the class. Finishing the 10-month course in 8 months, she achieved her goal.
Dr. Daisy Century as Bessie Coleman is an exciting portrayal of a beautiful, determined woman who knew what she wanted and made it happen. Audience members thrill to tales of barnstorming and stunts with parachutes. Bessie inspires the audience to identify with a woman who risked everything to make her dream a reality. For younger audience members, Daisy brings a pattern to use to create their own plane. She showcases a life that broke the mold, inspiring her audience to do the same.
Invite Bessie Coleman your event:
• Educational Programs: Program with Press Conference for Schools, Libraries, Museums and Historic Sites
Daisy Century: Bio of Actor/Historian, Reenactor, Interpreter, Impersonator
Dr. Daisy Century entrances and motivates young and old alike with her dynamic one-woman show as Bessie Coleman!