American Airlines and Barbie have partnered to commemorate Bessie Coleman, who in 1921 was the first Black and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s licence.
Passengers flying Flight AA771 from Dallas-Fort Worth to New York received a newly-released Barbie Inspiring Women Series Bessie Coleman doll, the carrier announced, marking Coleman’s birthday.
American said it hoped to “inspire the next generation of aviators” by hosting an event for aviation students at the Ronald E. McNair public school 5 in Brooklyn to “build upon Bessie Coleman’s rich legacy”.