Elizabeth â Bessieâ Coleman ( January 26 , 1892 â `` April 30 , 1926 ) was the first female African American pilot ever to hold the international pilot license . Elizabeth â Bessieâ Coleman ( January 26 , 1892 â `` April 30 , 1926 ) was an American civil aviator . She was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license .