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While attending high school in 1920s Pittsburgh, aspiring journalist and artist Zelda Mavin Jackson penned a letter to the editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, asking for a job. The editor replied with Zelda’s first assignment, a boxing match. Zelda continued to cover sports for
the Courier. But what she really wanted to do was draw.
In 1937, the Courier published Zelda Jackson Ormes’ (now married) first comic, “Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem” about a Mississippi teen who moved to Harlem during the Great Migration to become a famous jazz singer at the
In 1937, the Courier published Zelda Jackson Ormes’ (now married) first comic, “Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem” about a Mississippi teen who moved to Harlem during the Great Migration to become a famous jazz singer at the
famed Cotton Club. The Pittsburgh Courier was a nationally printed Black newspaper, which meant Ormes was the first nationally printed African American woman cartoonist. Ormes was already making waves through her art with social commentary and the unprecedented positive portrayal
of Black women.
After moving to Chicago in 1942, Jackie Ormes, as she became known, wrote a social column for The Chicago Defender, one of America’s top Black newspapers. That fall for the Courier, Ormes created “Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger”, a single-panel comic featuring two sharp,
After moving to Chicago in 1942, Jackie Ormes, as she became known, wrote a social column for The Chicago Defender, one of America’s top Black newspapers. That fall for the Courier, Ormes created “Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger”, a single-panel comic featuring two sharp,
smart and fashionable sisters who frequently commented on issues affecting Black Americans.
The cartoons were so popular, in 1947, Ormes created the Patty-Jo doll, the first Black doll not created in the image of a derogatory stereotype. The doll became a role model for young
The cartoons were so popular, in 1947, Ormes created the Patty-Jo doll, the first Black doll not created in the image of a derogatory stereotype. The doll became a role model for young
girls, as did Ormes. In 1950, she started another comic strip for the Courier, reviving and reinventing Torchy Brown as a confident, stylish, adventurous, intelligent and brave Black woman.
“I have never liked dreamy little women who can't hold their own,” Ormes
“I have never liked dreamy little women who can't hold their own,” Ormes
once said. Her comics were responsible for starting a trend that affected the way Black women were visually depicted in art and media.
Ormes was so politically outspoken and influential in her positive representation of Black women, she would eventually earn her way into an FBI
Ormes was so politically outspoken and influential in her positive representation of Black women, she would eventually earn her way into an FBI
investigation by the US government.
Jackie Ormes, activist, feminist, fashionista, creator, cartoonist and badass was born on this day in 1911.
Happy birthday, Ms. Ormes!
Jackie Ormes, activist, feminist, fashionista, creator, cartoonist and badass was born on this day in 1911.
Happy birthday, Ms. Ormes!
CORRECTION (due to brain fart and terrible editing): "Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger" & Ormes' revival of "Torchy Brown" were both published by the Chicago Defender. My post says the Courier. Not sure how many would know I did that, but I know and it was driving me nuts. Thank you.
