Jackie Ormes (1911–1985) was the first Black woman to work as a professional cartoonist in the United States. She broke barriers in the comic industry with her bold, stylish, and socially conscious work that challenged racial and gender stereotypes.

Ormes is best known for creating Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem (1937), a groundbreaking comic strip that ran in the Pittsburgh Courier, depicting a young Black woman navigating life with ambition and independence. She later introduced Patty-Jo ‘n’ Ginger, a single-panel cartoon that ran from 1945 to 1956, using humor and wit to comment on social and political issues.

Beyond comics, Ormes designed the Patty-Jo doll, one of the first Black dolls with a positive, sophisticated image, offering young Black girls a toy that reflected them with dignity.

Her legacy lives on as a trailblazer in both comics and social activism, paving the way for future Black artists and storytellers.