A Pair of Wings: A Novel BY Carole Hopson

In Queen Bess, Carole Hopson delivers a breathtaking novel inspired by the extraordinary life of Bessie Coleman, a pioneering Black aviatrix who defied the odds in the early days of aviation. Set against the backdrop of the post-Wright brothers’ era, Bessie’s journey from the cotton fields of Texas to the skies of Europe is a tale of relentless courage and unyielding passion.

When a low-flying airplane buzzes over her family’s cotton farm, young Bessie is captivated by the freedom and thrill of flight. Determined to grasp that freedom, she moves to Chicago during the Great Migration, where she finds support from influential figures—Robert Abbott, publisher of the Chicago Defender, and Jesse Binga, founder of Chicago’s first Black bank. While Abbott mentors her and Binga becomes her lover, Bessie’s heart belongs to aviation.

Facing the harsh reality that no American school will train a Black woman to fly, Bessie learns French and journeys to Europe. There, she becomes a licensed pilot ahead of Amelia Earhart and masters daring aerial stunts with French and German pilots. Though the skies offer respite from prejudice, Bessie encounters personal trials on the ground—surviving a near-fatal plane crash, grappling with racial challenges at home, and confronting complex truths about her relationship with Binga.

Queen Bess vividly portrays Bessie Coleman’s remarkable determination to rise above her circumstances, highlighting her quest for freedom both in the air and on the ground. Through Hopson’s masterful storytelling, Bessie’s legacy as “Queen Bess” and her indomitable spirit shine brightly.