Happy Birthday to Angela Davis and Bessie Coleman!
Civil Rights and political activist and educator Angela Davis, became a symbol of Black liberation and feminism in the 70's. She became the third woman to ever be on the FBI's Most Wanted list as a result of her occurrences due to her associations with the Black Panthers. After being imprisoned for 18 months, she was acquitted. Angela is a revolutionary as she has spent her lifetime authoring a myriad of books and speaking out against social injustices.
Bessie Coleman was the first female African and Native American aviator. She was turned away from flight school in the US due to discrimation of both her race and gender. Nevertheless, Bessie persisted teaching herself French to attend flight school in France. Upon her return stateside, she was not allowed to become a commercial pilot, again because of bias. She decided to become a stunt flier and refused to attend shows in the segregated south. Bessie worked toward her lifelong dream of opening the first school for Black women to become aviators. We honor her bravery and tenacity.
Dr. Mae Jemison (pictured last) carried Bessie Coleman's picture with her on her 1992 mission as the first African American woman in space.