American Airlines recently partnered with Barbie to celebrate the legacy left by Bessie Coleman, who was the first Black and Native American woman to hold a pilot's license in 1921.

Fitting it was her birthday on January 26, passengers traveling on AA771 from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) were treated to the ''Inspiring women Series - Bessie Coleman doll''.

With Barbie announcing the doll as part of its Inspiring Women series, it's a nod to Black History Month, which will begin in February. Coleman's legacy has encouraged and inspired many other pilots of color to take up flying as a profession.

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Bessie Coleman

Born on January 26, 1892, Coleman was from a family in Atlanta, Texas, where she worked in the cotton fields when she was young before attending a term at Langston University. In her early years, she developed a strong interest in flying. However, at the time, Native Americans had no flight training opportunities available in the United States.

Coleman saved money and gained sponsorships from Chicago, where she was then able to set off to France to earn her license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale on June 15, 1921. Becoming well known for dangerous flying at air shows, Coleman was known as Queen Bess and Brave Bessie and had aspirations to start a school for African American pilots.

Unfortunately, in 1926, Coleman was killed in a plane crash in Jacksonville, Florida.

Encouraging diversity

Along with the new barbie release, American Airlines has hosted an aviation program for students at Ronald E. McNair public school 5 in Brooklyn. The program is designed to inspire the next generation to follow in Bessie Coleman's legacy.

Coleman's Family response

Gigi Coleman, Bessie's great-niece, commented on the special release:

"Keeping Bessie's legacy alive has always been a labor of love for my family, and we are proud to recognize her determination and accomplishments for Black women in aviation and continue to share my great aunt's pioneering spirit with fans of all ages,"

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AA771

Celebrating Coleman's birthday, as noted above, on January 26, passengers on AA771 from Dallas to New York received the special Barbie keepsake. The aircraft that operated the particular flight was AA's Boeing 737-8 (registration N845NN), which joined the airline in 2010.

The 12-year-old aircraft pushed back from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at 13:34, taking the 2hr38min journey to New York, landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 17:12.

The same aircraft continued onto Chicago as AA2750. However, the next lot of passengers weren't so lucky and didn't leave their flight holding onto the Bessie Coleman barbie.

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Sources: Mattel, CNN, American Airlines

• 

  Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  DFW/KDFW

  Country:

  United States

  CEO:

  Sean Donohue

  Passenger Count :

  62,465,756 (2021)

  Runways :

  13L/31R - 2743m (9,000 ft) | 13R/31L - 2,834m (9,300 ft) | 17L/35R - 2,590m (8500 ft) | 17C/35C - 4,085m (13,400 ft) | 17R/35L - 4,085m (13,400 ft) | 18L/36R - 4,085m (13,400 ft) | 18R/36L - 4,085m (13,400 ft)

  Terminals:

  Terminal A | Terminal B | Terminal C | Terminal D | Terminal E

• 

  New York JFK Airport

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  JFK/KJFK

  Country:

  United States

  CEO:

  Rick Cotton (Executive Director of Port Authority of NY and NJ)

  Passenger Count :

  16,630,642 (2020)

  Runways :

  4L/22R - 3,682m (12,079 ft) | 4R/22L - 2,560m (8,400 ft) | 13L/31R - 3,048m (10,000 ft) | 13R/31L - 4,423m (14,511 ft)

  Terminals:

  Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5 | Terminal 7 | Terminal 8