The Resume

(January 26, 1892-April 30, 1926)
Moved to Chicago
First black woman to pilot an airplane
Died during a tragically failed parachuting stunt
Namesake of Bessie Coleman Drive in Chicago's O'Hare Airport
Commemorated on a postage stamp (1995)

Why he might be annoying:

Her nicknames were 'Brave Bessie' and 'Queen Bess.'
Her stunts were often dangerous, including near ground dips.
She was one of thirteen siblings (definitely annoying for the parents!).
She gave manicures to men at Chicago White Sox baseball games.
She went to France to learn how to pilot a plane.
She went to Germany to receive advanced flight training at a place called the Fokker Corporation.
She walked off the set of a film she agreed to appear in.
She bought an aircraft for $400.
Her aircraft stalled in mid-air and dropped 300 feet into the ground, hospitalizing her for 3 months.

Why he might not be annoying:

Her father, who was a Native American, abandoned the family to avoid racial discrimination in Texas (1900).
She finished the eighth grade with the highest grades in her class.
With the odds against black women in early 20th century America, her only dream was to 'amount to something.'
She made money doing laundry and manicures before becoming a stunt pilot.
She was the first black person to obtain an international pilot's license.
She proved that black Americans could tear down racial barriers and live their dreams.
She wanted to open a school for young blacks who aspired to become aviators.
She got paid to lecture at public schools, churches and theaters.
She died during the rehearsal of a parachuting stunt. Her mechanic lost control of the plane when a wrench slid into the gearbox and jammed it. She was thrown from the plane and plummeted 500 feet to the ground.

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Appeared on PBS' American Masters
• B.C. or A.D.
• Black and Beautiful
• Black Heritage Commemorative Stamp Series (Ranked: 1995)
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [January] (Ranked: 1261892)
• Dead Pilots Society
• Ebony Magazine's 100 Most Fascinating Black Women of the 20th Century [March 1999]
• Google Modified Its Logo For My Birthday (Google Doodles)
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [A-C]
• I Died in 1926 (Ranked: 34)
• I Died in My 30s (Ranked: 34)
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing Military Garb
• Pilots
• Profiles 12251-12500 (Ranked: 12353)
• Satirized on The Proud Family
• Subjects of 'Drunk History'

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 72 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 13 Votes: 15.38% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 26.32% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 24 Votes: 45.83% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 17.65% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 46 Votes: 43.48% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 44 Votes: 38.64% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 40 Votes: 45.00% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 142 Votes: 44.37% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 168 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 287 Votes: 44.60% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 73 Votes: 30.14% Annoying