Against the Wind: Why Every Young Black Girl Needs to See Aviatrix

May 16

In an industry where the cockpit remains one of the most exclusive spaces in the world, the story of a girl from rural Texas who refused to keep her feet on the ground is more than a history lesson—it’s a call to action.

Aviatrix, the new musical by veteran journalist and playwright Angela Poe Russell, tells the breathtaking true story of Bessie Coleman. In 1921, Coleman became the first Black and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license, a feat she achieved by traveling to France after every flight school in the United States rejected her because of her race and gender.

As this world premiere runs at the Seattle Public Theater (May 15 – June 7, 2026), it arrives at a time when its message is urgently needed for the next generation of barrier-breakers.

The Power of "Seeing to Be"

For young Black girls today, the "lack of visibility" is not just a phrase; it is a statistical reality.

The Gap: Black women currently represent less than 1% of professional pilots in the United States.
The Mission: As Poe Russell noted in her interview, learning about Coleman’s story late in life sparked a sense of being "cheated" by history. By bringing this story to the stage, Aviatrix provides the role model that is often missing from textbooks.

"Imagine if growing up we heard more of these stories, what that would do to our self-esteem and our aspirations." — Angela Poe Russell

Resilience as a Superpower

The musical doesn’t just focus on the glory of flight; it honors the grit required to get there. The production follows Coleman from the cotton fields of Texas to the runways of Europe, highlighting a "plethora of Black music" from jazz and blues to hip-hop and gospel to mirror her journey.

For a young girl facing modern systemic barriers, Coleman’s "unconventional path" is a blueprint. She didn't just wait for an opportunity; she learned a new language (French) and moved across an ocean to create one.

A Community-Powered Ascent

One of the most vital themes in Aviatrix is that no one flies alone. Poe Russell emphasizes the community that "buoyed" Bessie—from the Black-owned newspapers that championed her to the mentors who believed in her.

Modern Successors: This legacy continues through organizations like Sisters of the Skies, which has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to women of color pursuing aviation.
Education: HBCUs like Elizabeth City State University and Tuskegee University (which recently expanded its Aviation Science degree) are now the very flight schools Bessie once dreamed of opening.

Why Now?

In a world that can often feel heavy, Aviatrix is a reminder that "flight" is a symbol of elevation and freedom for oppressed people. It encourages young girls to take risks, lean on their community, and, as Bessie famously did, "refuse to take no for an answer".

For any young girl who has been told a dream is too big or a field is too crowded, Aviatrix offers a clear, soaring response: The sky is not the limit; it is your domain.

Experience the Journey: