To be a black woman in America means to be ready for racist attacks. Jackie Ormes is one such example. Google however has recently created a doodle dedicated to the remarkable person she was.
Just recently, Google revealed the latest logo presentation made by illustrator Liz. It acts as a commemoration of the artist who continues to inspire women across the globe.
Jackie Ormes was not only the first but also the only female Black American cartoonist, during the ’90s. She was a brave woman who refused to succumb to stereotypes and as a result, left a mark on the world.
She gained recognition because of her witty cartoons and humorous comic pieces that mocked the insulting ways black women were often portrayed in the media. This includes the panel ‘Patty Jo ‘n’ Ginger’, which was published in Pittsburgh’s newspaper.
The hit panel was representative of Jackie’s journey as a small self-taught artist who soon became a renowned cartoonist impacting the world.
Now let’s dive into some interesting facts about Jackie Ormes.
Let’s start with the basics: Omes’ was born in Pittsburgh on 1st August. She taught herself how to draw while young and would display it in her school yearbook.
After completing her secondary education, Jackie worked as a copyreader and a feature reporter for one of the USA’s most eminent black newspapers of the 1900s.
The newspaper allowed her to print her first comic animations called Torchy Brown in Dixie to Hаrlem.” The comic depicted many crucial battles immigrants had to fight while resettling to get away from racism and look for better opportunities.
Ormes created different narratives for her female animations based on her past. The plots ranged from romance to gender equity.
She made it a point to represent characters as independent, smart, beautiful women. Ormes further discovered some hidden talents through fashion designing.
After that, she went on to create the Patty-Jo, which were some top quality black dolls based on her cartoon figures.
In 1956, Jackie Ormes quit from the predominantly male industry, focusing on her social activism for the rest of her life.
Ormes died at 74 and was added to the US Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame.
