Her legacy is teaching students to take their dreams to new heights. Amiiyah is getting a chance to sit in the pilot's seat. She's among the P.S. 5 students getting hands-on experience using flight simulators in the school's aviation center, sponsored by American Airlines.
"It's very important for us to set this tone and send the message to the kids that you can do this, too," said American Airlines pilot Capt. Beth Powell. "To inspire our next generation that they can do whatever they want to in life, just don't take no for an answer," Gigi Coleman said. "At American, we're really looking to be intentional about diversifying our flight deck for the future, and so that starts by planting the seeds early on, today, for the next chapters," said Christina Flores of American Airlines.
That's why Mattel created a Bessie Coleman Barbie doll, giving one to each of the students. They also got a copy of"Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman's Dreams Took Flight," read to them by author and actress Karyn Parsons.