21 Bessie Coleman Quotes That Will Empower You

Get ready to be inspired by a woman that challenged the standard and set new limits with these Bessie Coleman quotes.

For Bessie Coleman, there were two things standing in her way to her dream of becoming a pilot.

The first is that she was a woman and the second was that she was African American.

According to the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Bessie Coleman was the first woman of African American and Native American descent to earn an international pilot’s license.

Her groundbreaking achievement opened doors for future generations of women and people of color in aviation, and serves as a reminder that with hard work and determination, any goal is attainable.

This might not have been as much of an obstacle but she was alive during the early 1900s when minorities—both women and blacks—didn’t have many of the same freedoms and opportunities available to them.

But Bessie Coleman wasn’t going to let that stand in her way.

She accepted the challenge and set out to change the world.

Her words are still empowering today.

Below is our collection of inspirational, wise, and thoughtful Bessie Coleman quotes and sayings, collected from a variety of sources over the years.

And after reading her powerful words, be sure to also check out our compilation of inspirational quotes for women.

Also, check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily wisdom. 

See the rest of our quote database for even more inspirational ideas and thoughts.

Bessie Coleman Quotes That Will Empower You

The National Women’s History Museum notes that Coleman’s determination to overcome obstacles is evident in her quotes, such as “The air is the only place free from prejudice.”

Bessie Coleman Quotes are a powerful reminder to embrace diversity and work towards a world with equal opportunities.

1. “You’ve never lived till you’ve flown.” – Bessie Coleman

You will also enjoy our article on black women quotes.

2. “I decided blacks should not have to experience the difficulties I had faced, so I decided to open a flying school and teach other black women to fly.” – Bessie Coleman

If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to read our collection of quotes from black women for a boost of inspiration.

3. “I refused to take no for an answer.” – Bessie Coleman

You will also enjoy our article on Princess Leia quotes.

4. “If I can create a minimum of my plans and desires, there shall be no regrets.” – Bessie Coleman

5. “The air is only the place free from prejudice.” – Bessie Coleman

6. “Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.” – Bessie Coleman

7. “The air is the only place to be free from prejudices.” – Bessie Coleman

8. “I knew we had no aviators, neither men nor women, and I knew the race needed to be represented along this most important line.” – Bessie Coleman

9. “I thought it my duty to risk my life to learn aviation and to encourage flying among men and women of our race, who are so far behind the white race in this modern study.” – Bessie Coleman

BessieColeman quotes about women

According to the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Coleman’s life and achievements continue to inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and her quotes serve as a powerful motivator for anyone facing challenges or adversity.

Her legacy reminds us that with hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our dreams.

10. “A woman is like a teabag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Bessie Coleman

11. “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.” – Bessie Coleman

12. “Ah, women. They make the nights higher and the lows more frequent.” – Bessie Coleman

13. “The age of a woman doesn’t mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.” – Bessie Coleman

14. “As usual, there is a great woman behind every idiot.” – Bessie Coleman

More Bessie Coleman quotes

15. “I made my mind up to try. I tried and was successful.” — Bessie Coleman

16. “Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.” — Bessie Coleman

17. “Tell them that as soon as I can walk, I am going to fly.” — Bessie Coleman

18. “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” — Bessie Coleman

19. “The only source of knowledge is experience.” — Bessie Coleman

20. “Life can only be understood backward but it must be lived forwards.” — Bessie Coleman

21. “The air is the only place free from prejudice.” – Bessie Coleman

WhichBessie Coleman quotes empower you the most?

You may not be trying to become a pilot, but there are other dreams that you have for your life.

The obstacles you face to get there might still be related to your race or gender, or they may have nothing to do with it.

Either way, Bessie Coleman is a great example of what’s possible in our lifetime if we don’t allow others to dictate what we can and can’t do.

Obstacles might come up as you work on reaching your goals, but you have the power to find a way to make them a reality.

And, if you ever feel like you’re struggling, use Bessie Coleman as your example and a reminder of all that’s possible.

Which of these inspiring Bessie Coleman quotes resonated with you best?

Do you have any other favorite quotes to add?

Let us know in the comment section below.