Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 22 August 2002 — Page 3

The Muncie Times • August 22, 2002 • Page 3

NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Andre' Scott Female Pilots continue legacy of Bessie Coleman JACKSON, Miss. The Bessie Coleman Foundation is looking for a few good women. The nonprofit organization founded to continue the legacy o f the renowned female pilot, wants to increase the number of African American women in the industry. The foundation will meet the week of Aug. 12, along with all major African American aviation organizations, in Atlanta. Among these organizations will be the Tuskegee Airmen, Negro Airmen International, Black Pilots of America, Organization of Black Airline Pilots, National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, and the Bessie Coleman Foundation. Although there are about 100,000 commercial airline pilots in America, less than 50 of these are African American females. "Our goal is to increase the number of African American females flying aircraft in military and civilian capacities," said Maj. Beverly Armstrong, a military pilot and the Coleman Foundation president. "We encourage African American youth interested in aviation, assist individuals in gaining access to available resources for advancement in the industry, and honor and celebrate the achievements of African Americans in the aviation industry."

Members include military pilots, commercial airline pilots, and private pilots. These women frequently speak at schools and other venues where they can share the Bessie Coleman story and demonstrate through her story the vast career opportunities available in aviation. Armstrong said foundation membership is not limited to African American female pilots. All aviation enthusiasts are encouraged to join, she said. The foundation will hold a news conference at 2 p.m., next Thursday during the convention to discuss the urgency of increasing the number of African American pilots in general, and increasing the number of African American female pilots in particular. Coleman's niece will be present to share her personal experiences with her aunt. About a dozen children from the D.H. Stanton Elementary School in Atlanta, where their teacher Barbara Webb and principal Dr. Willie Davenport sponsor a Bessie Coleman Day, are scheduled to discuss their desire to pursue aviation careers. A special presentation will be made to Julius Alexander of Atlanta. Among Alexander's accomplishments are training many African American female pilots. Twenty-five years ago he trained the first three African American females who earned private pilot's licenses in Atlanta. The story of Coleman's life is one of the most moving

American success stories. In 1892, Coleman was born one of 13 children to parents working as sharecroppers in Atlanta, Texas. In 1915, she moved to Chicago and dreamed of becoming a pilot. She was denied admission to American flight schools because of her race. With the encouragement and help of the Chicago Defender newspaper's publisher, Coleman traveled to France in 1921. There she earned an international pilot's license, making her the first African American to achieve this objective. In 1922, she returned to the United States and earned a national reputation as a daring aerial stunt flier. When on the ground, she shared her dream of opening a flight school for African Americans. This dream she was unfulfilled. In 1926, Coleman was killed in a plane accident in Florida. For additional information, please contact the Bessie Coleman Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 70712, Washington, D.C. 20024, Email: www.bessiecolemanfoundati on.org City votes NO to Reparations Study Bill Slavery issue exposes Houston's divisiveness Houston, TX The City Council of the fourth largest populated African-American city said "no" to reparations study bill H.R. 40 on July 31. City Hall was packed with African-Americans to hear the vote and the tension in the building was high and

Houston police officers were standing by in and outside the building. Organizations from all over Texas, Louisiana, and representatives from Houston had a great presence. Mayor Lee P. Brown had tabled the vote in the past. When the votes where counted, everyone was in an uproar. After a heated debate over the resolution, the City Council rejected it in a close vote 8 to 7. If the resolution were passed, it would have established a commission to study the effects of slavery on African-Americans and America. Black City Hall employees were insulted by the decision. Said one, "City Hall spends millions of dollars on different studies everyday and when asked to spend money on this study they say 'no.' The AfricanAmerican community is just asking for a study, not money. Are the council members afraid of what they will find out in this study?" The council members that voted in favor of the study, along with the mayor were: Ada Edwards, Carroll Robinson, Carol MimsGalloway, Annise Parker, Carol Alvarado and Gordon Quan. Council member Quan stated "Fm against reparation but I'll sit down and talk about it with you." Council member Ada Edwards stated "there is something very wrong when my colleagues are unwilling to even consider studying this issue." AAN&I publisher, Roy Douglas Malonson said he watched as Council member Vasquez and Mayor Brown Took a

"sidebar." "Brown asked Vasquez to his face are you with me?" Malonson said. "Surprisingly, Vasquez told the Mayor 'no!'" Michael Berry was viewed as a critical swing vote since he had campaigned extensively in the AfricanAmerican community. Min. Quanell X warned Berry "don't come into our community anymore. You , are not welcome. You voted against a simple resolution to support a study. Michael Berry, you tricked our community into thinking that you cared about our issues and now your true wicked White ways have come out." Kofi Taharka, of the National Black United Front stated, "I'm not surprised. This is Houston at its best. Speaking of Berry, everyone should ask himself or herself: "Who brought this man into the neighborhoods and churches of the Black people? Who showed Council member Berry where the Blacks lived in the neighborhoods? Once you figured out the answers to these questions, you'll find your mole because Council member Michael Berry didn't do this on his own. Someone had to help." The reparations issue was raised with officials over a month ago by the Local Action Committee for Reparations (LAC) a coalition of diverse organizations in the AfricanAmerican community led by the National Black United Front-Houston Chapter (NBUF). The group has NEWS BRIEFS cont. page 5