Tapiz Bessie Coleman With Wings Painting

This tapestry features aviatrix Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (1892–1926), the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. This angel-core aesthetic artwork is an oil painting version of a real photo of her, giving her angel wings. Denied aviation training in the U.S. due to racial and gender barriers, Bessie Coleman learned French and earned her flying license in 1921 from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Known as “Brave Bessie,” she dazzled crowds with daring air stunts. A pioneer in aviation, she inspired future Black pilots.