As part of Women's History Month activities, we're shining the spotlight on women in comics and manga. Every Tuesday, we'll feature amazing women who have left a mark on the comics and manga industries. Today, we'll be covering some of the earliest notable women of comics as well as two organizations and their impacts and contributions.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) is an American non-profit organization started in 1986. Its mission is to protect the First Amendment rights of comics creators, publishers, and retailers covering legal expenses. Originally established to fund the legal defense of Michael Correa, manager of Friendly Frank's comic shop faced obscenity charges in 1986. The legal battle was to defend freedom of expression in the comic book industry.
Another major contribution from the CBLDF was the book She Changed Comics, a 160-page book released in 2016, highlights the contributions of 60 women who significantly influenced the comics industry. This comprehensive work offers insight into the often overlooked history of women in comics and comes highly recommended for those interested in learning about their impact.
The book's Kickstarter campaign was remarkably successful, surpassing its initial goal of $10,000 with flying colors, ultimately raising $66,741 from 1,570 backers. This achievement underscores the widespread interest and support for recognizing the pivotal role of women in shaping the world of comics. Image Comics even picked up She Changed Comics so that it could be distributed in comic book stores across the country.
Rose O'Neill and the Kewpies
"She Changed Comics" sheds light on Rose O'Neill, a pioneering cartoonist from the early 20th century who achieved remarkable success with her comic strip "The Kewpies," making her one of the highest-paid cartoonists of her time, irrespective of gender. Despite her significant contributions to the comics industry in the early 190's and her advocacy as a suffragist, O'Neill's name remains largely unfamiliar to many, including those studying illustration or art history in academic settings. This oversight underscores the systemic barriers faced by women in accessing education and recognition in the arts, compounded by historical restrictions that limited female enrollment in art colleges for an extended period.
The absence of Rose O'Neill's legacy from mainstream art education reflects broader disparities in acknowledging women's achievements, particularly in male-dominated fields like comics. This oversight not only diminishes the recognition owed to pioneering figures like O'Neill but also perpetuates a narrative that marginalizes women's contributions to cultural and artistic spheres. Oddly enough, the Kewpies live on in other ways, including a brand of mayonnaise with a Kewpie as a mascot in Japan.
Image from Rose O'Neill's Wikipedia page
Hilda Terry
The National Cartoonists Society did not admit any female members until 1950, four years after its establishment in 1946. Despite objections, Hilda Terry became the first female member, facing resistance from male peers who were concerned about their language in her presence. Terry, however, began nominating other women once she gained entry, possibly unsettling her male colleagues, who expressed their general apprehension of allowing a woman among them.
Theresa Hilda Fellman, born in Massachusetts, aspired to become a sports cartoonist after being inspired by the works of Willard Mullin. After winning a newspaper contest with a funny cartoon, she shifted her focus to art and eventually married her art teacher, Gregory d'Alessio. She gained recognition for her comic strip Teena, previously known as It's A Girl's Life, which premiered in 1941 and ran until 1964.
While pursuing her artistic career, Terry also worked as a waitress, balancing her passion for art with her job at Schrafft's. Despite the challenges faced by female cartoonists during her time, she received accolades such as the Animation Award from the National Cartoonists Society in 1979 and was later honored in the Friends of Lulu Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame in 2001.
Image from Hilda Terry's Wikipedia page
Machiko Hasegawa
Not forgetting manga, Machiko Hasegawa, born in 1920 in Taku, Saga Prefecture, emerged as a pioneering figure in Japanese manga artistry. At the age of 15, following her father's passing, she relocated to Tokyo, where she honed her skills in cartooning and became one of the first woman mangaka. Hasegawa's groundbreaking comic strip, Sazae-san, debuted in 1946 and gained nationwide popularity when it began circulation in the Asahi Shimbun in 1949, running until her retirement in 1974.
Throughout her career, Hasegawa introduced innovative elements to manga, including the consistent use of a four-panel layout, which later became a standard in the industry. Despite her profound influence and success, Hasegawa chose to remain unmarried, residing with her sister Mariko. Together, they established the Shimaisha Publishing Company, facilitating the publication of millions of copies of her works.
Hasegawa's legacy endures through the Hasegawa Machiko Art Museum, housing her extensive art collection. Her passing in 1992 marked the conclusion of a remarkable career, during which she maintained a private lifestyle. As per her wishes, her death was kept confidential for 35 days following her private funeral, reflecting her desire for privacy even in her final days.
Please read through these sources to learn about even more amazing women. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it can be a fantastic tipping point for anyone wanting to learn more about this hidden history of the comic book industry.
Resources:
- She Changed Comics by CBLDF
- She Changed Comics Honors Trailblazing Women Creators
- How Female Writers Changed the Comic Book Industry
- 12 Women Who Have Helped Transform the Comic Book Industry
- 10 Women Who Changed the Comic Book Industry ( & How)
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