Before any stamp is issued, USPS wants to know not only what stamp subjects looked like, but also the details of their lives and the social and historical significance of their accomplishments. In most cases, books form the backbone of our research.
When we decided to commemorate Bessie Coleman as part of the Black Heritage series there weren’t a lot of reliable, comprehensive sources available to us. But we lucked out because just as we were beginning work on the stamp, Doris L. Rich published her fascinating study, Queen Bess: Daredevil Aviator (1993). 
Through Rich’s work we were properly introduced to Bessie Coleman, who worked tirelessly to pursue her dream to create an aviation school for young, black aviators. As a black woman in the early 20th century, Coleman was not allowed to attend American flying schools. After earning her pilot license at a French aviation school, “Brave Bessie” performed stunt-flying routines all around the United States. In 1995 she became the 18th person honored in the Black Heritage series of stamps and the fifth woman to be honored in the series.
USPS Stamp of Approval 