Over fifty years ago, & in up to 14 Black-owned newspapers nationwide, Black America followed the adventure comic strips drawn by Zelda "Jackie" Ormes, the first syndicated African American female cartoonist (as of information found so far).
A native of Pittsburgh & subsequent Chicagoan, Jackie Ormes began her journalistic career as a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Courier in 1939 at the age of 24, covering the John Henry Louis & Joe Lewis heavyweight bout. In 1942, she came to work for the Chicago Defender in a non-artistic position. As no surprise, the cartoons by Jackie Ormes never appeared in the Chicago Defender.
Ms. Ormes' earliest cartoon creation was an action/romance/soap opera comic that featured a Black heroine called Torchy Brown. Torchy Brown was a full-color Sunday feature. In its first incarnation, Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem, where she begins as a teen-ager with a family; then she grew up. Returning in the late fifties in the romance filled Torchy Brown Heartbeats was ahead of its time, tackling issues like sexism, racism & environmental pollution (particularly perpetuated upon Black populated areas. Some things remain the same.). Torchy was a woman of Color that was not only sensuously drawn in contrast to the genre of the day that depicted Black women as maids & mammies, she was portrayed as smart, brave & daring to stand up to the powers that be for justice. Ms. Ormes designed & marketed a line of cut-out fashions for a paper doll version of her character, called Torchy's Togs.
During its five year run in the 50s, Torchy was very popular. Young girls liked her as a paper doll, while older girls who could sew, made their own versions of Torchy's togs. Young men in the armed forces found a use for Torchy as an attractive pin-up girl who was brown-skinned.
In 1946, Ms. Ormes introduced
another strip, a single panel cartoon titled; Patty Jo `n Ginger.
(Their very first appearance is presented here) Patty Jo was a precocious,
socially aware little girl living with her much older adult sisterGinger.
The Patty Jo character went on to become
this nation's first positive image 'Negro' character doll which hit the
toy stores in time for Christmas 1948. The Patty Jo dolls are now
collectors items. Patty Jo `n Ginger appeared exclusively
in the chain of 
Pittsburgh Courier papers until
about 1962.
In the late 70s, severe arthritis limited her artistic work, yet Ms. Ormes remained a serious artist, painting murals, portraits (specializing in children's faces) & panels that decorated the walls of her home. (Lake Meadows to those in Chicago.) She was also an avid doll collector & member of the Chicago Chapter of the United Federation of Doll Clubs. As her arthritis became progressively worse, a hobby of doll collecting, begun in the 50s became a passion. Ms. Ormes was said to have approximately 150 dolls, including a German-made doll which was the forerunner to the Barbie of today. The oldest in her collection was 50 years old (in a 1970s interview). Jackie Ormes was well known in Chicago's Black social & fashion circles who was often in demand as a guest model. She acquired knowledge in fashion merchandising & worked with exhibitors.
Another comic said to be created by Jackie Ormes is called, Candy, (not to be confused with Kandy) about a Black maid. However, I am still seeking information & physical proof on this one.
(Special note: if any family members of Jackie & Earl Ormes happens to ever visit this web page, I would enjoy getting more information about Ms. Ormes to add to this collection of Pioneering Cartoonists.)
| Next page | Back page |
page 00 |
