Quarter Miles Travel With Annita Travel With Annita and Friends

Episode 35:  Bessie Coleman

Photo - U.S. Mint



March 30, 2023



Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn her international pilot's license. Her story is one of determination and the tenacity to say, "yes, I can do it!"



From an early age Bessie Coleman's mother taught her the importance of believing in herself and striving to "become somebody." Her mother could not read, however she borrow books from a traveling library, and helped Bessie learn to read.  It was a great success, because not only did Bessie learn to read, she became an avid reader and taught her siblings too. Her love of reading and ability to learn languages helped her achieve her greatest success:  learning French and attending pilot training in France. Bessie Coleman, became the first African -American  and Native American woman to receive her international pilot’s license in France on June 15, 1921.



Bessie once said, "I guess it was the newspapers reporting on air war in Europe during World War I, that got me interested in flying. I was an avid reader, and searched the libraries looking for information on flying. I think all the articles I read finally convinced me I should be up there flying, and not just reading about it, so I started searching for a flying school. At first I thought it would be easy, just walk in and sign up. I didn't realize that I had two strikes against me. I remember hearing of a few women pilots before the war but I had never seen one. The other strike against me was my color. No one had ever heard of a black woman pilot in 1919. I refused to take no for an answer. My mother's words always gave me strength to overcome obstacles.”



Bessie’s story is one filled with determination and the example of believing in yourself and taking action - that makes all the difference in the world.  



On this podcast I share her story, along with Dorothy Cochrane with the National Air and Space Museum, Sarah Fisher with the International Women Air & Space museum and, Gigi Coleman the great niece of Bessie Coleman. We come together to share her story and inspire others to reach for the sky and achieve their dreams.



I am Annita Thomas, host of Quarter Miles Travel, a podcast all about the U.S. Mint Quarters programs, where you’ll find not only an adventure on the back of a quarter, but history, iconic Americans, wildlife and so many ways to learn more about the United States. 



A few facts about Bessie Coleman.



Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas on January 26, 1892.

She was one of 13 children of Susan Coleman, a Black maid, and George Coleman, a sharecropper of mixed Native American and Black descent.

Bessie grew up helping her mother wash laundry and pick cotton to earn money. By the time she was 18, Bessie had saved enough money to attend the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University) in Langston, Oklahoma.

She learned French at a Berlitz school in the Chicago

She worked as a manicurist to earn money and save for her dream of becoming a pilot.

She received additional financial support from Robert Abbott founder and editor of the Chicago Weekly Defender,  along with funds from another African American entrepreneurs, so she could set off for Paris from New York on November 20, 1920.

Coleman was accepted at the Caudron Brothers’ School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France.

Coleman took Abbott's advice and went to night school, and in a few months had learned enough French and saved enough money to travel to Europe.

She trained in France, Germany, Holland and Switzerland and studied with the famous WWI German ace pilot, Captain Keller.

She test piloted airplanes in the Netherland forAnthony Fokker , the "Flying Dutchman"

On September 3, 1922, in Garden City,

U.S. Mint State Quarters Inspire

The Start of Quarter Miles Travel

Photo - U.S. Mint



U.S. Mint State Quarters are the inspiration! It all started with Travel With Annita back when we were Travel Bags With Annita.  Each year a new theme is selected for programing as a way to keep content interesting, fresh and new.



Inspired by the U.S. Mint State Quarters, Quarter Miles Travel was born out of a desire to focus on travel around the US, inspired by the designs on the reverse side (back) of the U.S. Mint State Quarters.  Our first quarter was the Georgia design, featuring the peach. We were amazed from our research the information we found to feature about Georgia, our home state. Information that neither Olivia or myself was aware of. This energized us even more to find more information - about things we thought we already knew. From there, we started featuring a quarter or two each show. The fourth segment of the show became, the "fourth quarter" where the U.S. Mint State Quarters designs were researched for information to tell the stories of the designs and why each state would select them.



Olivia Varnson was by my side researching and recording the show. We also sailed on the Victory Chimes sailboat which is featured on the reverse side of the Maine quarter. The U.S. Mint State Quarters feature historic places, people, wildlife all things you can travel to visit and learn more.



Take a listen to the start of this fascinating podcast highlighting all the makes America a great place to visit and tour. The U.S. Mint State Quarters program was followed by The America The Beautiful Commemorative Quarters and the American Women Program, which is being released now.



Here's a link to start listening and find your favorite. You'll see how a U.S. Mint State Quarter can inspire travel around this beautiful country.



For more information about the U.S. Mint State and Commemorative Quarters, visit their website - USMint.gov

Photo- U.S. Mint

Nina Otero-Warren

American Women Quarters Program

Nina Otero Warren - Women  Nina was a leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement, the first woman to be superintendent of Santa Fe public schools, Chairman of New Mexico’s Board of Health,  an executive board member of the American Red Cross and director of an adult literacy program in New Mexico for the Works Projects Administration.



Nina has a long list of leadership accomplishments as an activists for Hispanic people.  



And, today she is the fifth woman featured on a quarter in the American women quarter program



On this podcast I tell her story. 



Born María Adelina Isabel Emilia Otero on October 23, 1881 on her family’s hacienda, “La Constancia,” near Los Lunas, New Mexico. 



She was born into a prominent political family where Her parents, Manuel B. Otero and Eloisa Luna could  trace their lineages to the early Spanish colonizers in the area. 



At an early age she experienced the loss of her father who was killed by a squatter trying to settle on her family’s land. 



The loss of her father had a great impact on her and the family. Her mother remarried in 1886.  And, Nina stepped in to help take care of her younger siblings 



She attended  St. Vincent’s Academy in Albuquerque and Maryville College of the Sacred Heart (now Maryville University) in St. Louis. 



However home was never far away…… always on her mind and in her heart. She returned to the family’s hacienda to help care for her younger siblings. She helped educate her siblings and contributed to the work on the family ranch -- later when she wrote her book …. These were the experiences she recorded in her book, Old Spain in Our Southwest.



She became interested in activism In 1897, when her family moved to Santa Fe. It was there where her cousin, Miguel Otero II, became the governor of the New Mexico Territory and appointed her stepfather as a judicial clerk. 



Now as an adult she was called Nina. Living in Santa Fe, she was around many people who inspired  her as she socialized among the political and cultural elite of Santa Fe.



Nina met Rawson D. Warren, an officer in the Fifth U.S. Cavalry stationed at Fort Wingate. She married Warren on June 25, 1908 becoming….Nina Otero-Warren, the name she carries for the life and how we know her.  She was 26 years old.  



After their Santa Fe wedding, Nina and Rawson moved to Fort Wingate. Unhappy in her marriage, Nina divorced her husband after only two years, and returned to Santa Fe.



During that time, there were many attitudes prejudices against divorced women at the time, She decided to identify as a widow and continued to use her hyphenated name.



In 1912 Nina moved to New York City to help and support her brother who was studying at Columbia University. While there, she worked in the settlement house movement. Another opportunity to strengthen her fight for her people.  



When her mother passed  in 1914, and she  decided to move back to Santa Fe



During her life Otero-Warren was very accomplished in many areas:



Always emphasized the use of the Spanish language in the suffrage fight in order to reach Hispanic women. 



She also spearheaded the lobbying effort to ratify the 19th Amendment in New Mexico.



Otero-Warren believed in education and worked to improve education for all New Mexicans



Advancing and preserving  bicultural education and cultural practices among the state’s Hispanic and Native American communities was very important to her. 



In 1917, Otero-Warren was appointed superintendent of public schools in Santa Fe. She defeated a male opponent to win reelection to the position in 1918 and remained in the role unti...

Photo - U.S. Mint

Episode 32: Anna May Wong

Quarter American Women Series

Anna May Wong is on the U.S. Mint Women Series quarter.



In the early 1920’s acting roles for Asian Americans were limited.  Hollywood  was yet to have roles with leading ladies who looked like Anna May Wong. 



But, that didn’t stop her….. There is a story of a courages woman, who advocated for representation for multi-dimensional roles for Asian Americans.  



Anna May Wong would not stop… it would be her life’s journey and it is also her story…. And today I share her story with you. 



Anna May Wong was an American actress, the first Chinese American movie star, and the first Asian American to become an international star. Her long and varied career spanned both silent and sound film, television, stage, and radio.



Her life and love of film began early…. She always loved film.



Anna May Wong was a third generation immigrant, born on January 3rd, 1905. Her grandfather emigrated to the US in the 1850s to find work and raise his family.  It was at Anna May’s parent’s laundromat where she learned Chinese after school …. but even at an early age, learning a language wasn’t what was mostly on her mind. She felt her time was best spent skipping school for film. 



As early as nine years old, she was fascinated with movies and film. Visiting sets often to look and take it all in, she dreamed of her day as a movie star as the actors, producers and directors would go about their routines. 



Anna May once said “I would worm my way through the crowd and get close to the cameras.” Wong said. “I’d stare at these glamorous individuals and then I would rush home and do the scenes I had witnessed before a mirror.”



The curiosity and learning from being close up to the action, gave the young 14 year old Anna May,  the opportunity for her first role in 1919 as an extra in Red Lantern, a story of family drama, of loss and deceit, the film gave her a chance to share her talent and experience working in film.  



Her early films were silent, but her talent would shine through for all to see. Her style, elegance and expression of emotions showed her acting and performance strengths and skills. Wanting to put all of her efforts into an acting career, Anna May left high school in 1921 at the age of 16 to pursue a career in film.  She would devote her time and effort full time to becoming an actress.  



She was successful in finding a role in Bits of Life where she played Toy Ling’s wife and when she was 17 she was the leading  lady in the silent film The Toll of the Sea in 1922.  



Sadly, even with all of this success, America and Hollywood was not  



Her drive to become a recognizable and successful leading actress Wong auditioned for countless lead roles but found herself landing only supporting character or the typical Asian character many times in a stereotypical character.  



Times were very racially segregated in more areas than just film and theatre.  During this time in America there was discrimination and lack of opportunities in many parts of everyday life.  And, The mindset toward Asian migration at the time was negative in every way. Seeking of leading roles in a field so highly sought after by all races, it was no wonder she had difficulty finding leading roles. Laws at the time not only prevented interracial marriages, but it also forbade the kissing of interracial actors on screen. Because the majority of actors, especially leading ones, were white, Wong could never get into a leading romantic role either. 



“There seems little for me in Hollywood,” Wong once said l. “because rather than real Chinese, producers prefer Hungarians for Chinese roles. Pathetic dying seemed to be the best thing I did.”

 



Photo - U.S. Mint



Episode 31 - West Virginia State Quarter

Today it's West Virginia State Quarter. It was released in 2005. The design on the reverse side of the quarter or the tail side, shows the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge which showcases the state’s natural beauty and the scenic views of the gorge located a few miles. north of Fayetteville, West Virginia.  The bridge was build in 1977 to span across the New River Gorge. Before the bridge was constructed, people in the area had to make their way along winding curves on a forty-minute drive down and back up again.



October draws thousands of visitors to the area for Bridge Day.  On the third Saturday in October travelers and visitors to the Fayetteville area have a chance to go on and leap off the bridge. This only happens during this time.  The bridge has become so popular it is a destination in its own right.



The West Virginia state quarter is the 35th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Programs. And the 5th released in 2005.  The state of West Virginia was admitted into the Union on June 20, 1863.



The quarter is featured on this episode in our Two Bits segment.  Did you know that the quarter is also called two bits?  Well, that’s based on the division of the Spanish peso. A bit back in time.  But, quarters are still sometimes called two bits.  There’s a lot of history in coins and trivia too.



Quarter Miles was first introduced on the radio show, Travel With Annita, Annita Thomas and Olivia Varnson shared trivia information about the state quarters and their designs. They featured the quarters and all the information inspiring  listeners to plan and organize trips based on the quarter designs.  



Here’s a bit of trivia and facts on how you can visit West Virginia and experience this state’s natural beauty. 



 



To plan a trip to places mentioned go to:



State Park -nps.gov/neri



For more information on the U.s. Mint State and Comemoriatve quarters visit the website USMint.gov



Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button… it only take a second.  And, you’ll be first in line for new episodes.



Here's another Two Bits episode about the great state of Hawaii.

 



 



Photo credit - U.S. Mint

Episode 30:  Wilma Mankiller US Mint Women's Quarter Series

Notable Facts:



First female Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

First female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. 

First woman elected as chief of a major Native tribe.



Early Life:



Wilma was born on November 18, 1945, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, also known as the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

She was the sixth of eleven children born to Charley Mankiller and Clara Irene Sitton. Her father was full blood Cherokee and her mother was of Dutch and Irish descent.

In the Cherokee language, the surname "Mankiller," refers to a traditional high military ranking that would have been achieved by one of her ancestors.

In the 1830s, Wilma’s ancestors were forced to leave their homeland in Tennessee and traveled via the Trail of Tears into Indian Territory. Her family settled in what is now modern day Oklahoma. 

It is here that Wilma grew up, spending her earliest years on her grandfather’s farm, on land that was granted to her family as part of a government settlement. In this rural area, resources were limited. Wilma’s family home had no electricity, indoor plumbing, or telephones.

In the mid-1950s, when Wilma was about 10-11 years old, her family’s land was devastated by a drought. As a result of this, the family was moved to San Francisco, California as part of a Bureau of Indian Affairs’ relocation policy. This policy aimed to move Indians off of federally subsidized lands with the promise of jobs in the city.

Wilma referred to this move as her “own little trail of tears,” as it took her away from her family’s tribe and her childhood home. 

Following this move, she experienced culture shock, poverty, and racism. At the same time she also became exposed to the powerful impacts of social activism.

In 1969, she watched a group of American Indians take over the federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. During this 19-month long protest, the Native Americans laid claim to the island by ‘right of discovery’ in an effort to expose the suffering of American Indians. 

Wilma later recalled this event stating, “When Alcatraz occurred, I became aware of what needed to be done to let the rest of the world know that Indians had rights, too.” 

Following this event, Wilma began her work, striving to empower Native communities and improve their lives.



Native Work:



In 1977, Wilma returned to the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and founded the Community Development Department for the Cherokee Nation. This organization focused on improving access to water and housing. 

Her first and most famous project under this organization took place in Bell, Oklahoma, a small Cherokee community with no running water. Her efforts here led to the construction of a 16-mile waterline. This project is documented in the film, The Cherokee Word for Water (which was directed by her husband and community development partner of 30 years, Charlie Soap).

In 1983, Wilma was named running mate to Principal Chief Ross Swimmer during his bid for reelection as Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Despite rampant sexism, including death threats, they won the election, making Wilma the first woman elected deputy chief. 

Two years later, in 1985, Chief Swimmer resigned to lead the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, leaving Wilma in charge as principal chief, the first woman to ever hold the position. She would go on to be reelected as chief in 1987 and, again, in 1991 (winning by a landslide with over 80% of votes). 

During this time, she tripled her tribe’s enrollment, doubled employment, and built new housing, health centers, and children’s programs in northeast Oklahoma. Under her leadership,