JACKIE ORMES FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN CARTOONIST

At a time of few opportunities for African American women, Jackie Ormes (1911-1985) blazed a trail as a popular cartoonist with the major black newspapers of the day. Her comic strips Torchy Brown and Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger provide an invaluable glimpse into American culture and history, with topics that include racial segregation, U.S. foreign policy, educational equality, and other pressing issues of the times-and of today's world as well. This biography, recognized as a 'Best Book' by the Village Voice and with 'Best Book' citations in three Booklist categories, features a large sampling of Ormes's cartoons and comic strips.