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{{Short description|American cartoonist}}
[[File:Signe Wilkinson.jpg|alt=Signe Wilkinson |thumb|Signe Wilkinson]]
{{Infobox comics creator
'''Signe Wilkinson''' (born July 25, 1950) is an American [[editorial cartoonist]] best known for her work with the ''Philadelphia Daily News''. She was the first woman to win the '''[[Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning]]''' in 1992 and is known for her sharp, irreverent style and focus on political and social issues.


|image          = Signe Wilkinson.jpg
== Early Life and Education ==
| imagesize    =  
Signe Wilkinson was born in '''Wichita Falls, Texas''', into a '''Quaker family''' on July 25, 1950. She earned a '''Bachelor of Arts''' degree in '''English''' from the '''University of Denver'''. Later, she attended the '''Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts''' to study art while working at the '''Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University'''. During her studies, Wilkinson worked as a stringer for various newspapers, including the ''Daily Post'', ''King of Prussia Courier'', and ''West Chester Daily Local News''.<ref>Altersitz, Katrina. [http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A133573195/AONE?u=gain40375&sid=AONE&xid=a5cecacb "Not a Funny Situation: In the Shrinking Field of Editorial Cartoonists, Women are Scarce."] ''American Journalism Review'', vol. 27, no. 3, 2005, p. 14+. ''Academic OneFile''. Retrieved 3 Dec. 2018.</ref>
| caption      = Wilkinson, photographed in 2015.
| birth_name    =
| birth_date    =  {{Birth date and age|1950|7|25}}
| birth_place  = [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date    =
| death_place  =
| nationality  = American
| area          = Cartoonist
| cartoonist = y
| website = {{URL|http://www.signetoons.com}}
| alias        =  
| notable works = Editorial cartoons<br />''One Nation, Under Surveillance''<br />''Abortion Cartoons on Demand''
| awards        = [[Pulitzer Prize]] - [[Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning|Editorial Cartooning]]
}}


'''Signe Wilkinson''' (born July 25, 1950, in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]]) is an [[editorial cartoonist]] best known for her work at the ''[[Philadelphia Daily News]]''. Her work is described as having a "unique style and famous irreverence."<ref name=":2" /> Wilkinson is the only female editorial cartoonist whose work has been distributed by a major syndicate.<ref>Altersitz, Katrina. [http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A133573195/AONE?u=gain40375&sid=AONE&xid=a5cecacb "Not a Funny Situation: In the Shrinking Field of Editorial Cartoonists, Women are Scarce."] ''American Journalism Review'', vol. 27, no. 3, 2005, p. 14+. ''Academic OneFile''. Retrieved 3 Dec. 2018.</ref>
== Career ==


Wilkinson is the first female cartoonist to win the [[Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning]] (1992) and was once named "the Pennsylvania state vegetable substitute" by the former speaker of the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]]. In 2011, Wilkinson received a Visionary Woman Award<ref>[http://www.moore.edu/support_moore/visionary_woman_awards Visionary Woman Award]</ref> from [[Moore College of Art & Design]]. She has also won four [[Overseas Press Club Awards]] and two [[Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award]]s for Cartooning.<ref name=":0" />
=== Early Career ===
[[File:I'm looking for a judge with no ties to Bob Brady, by Signe Wilkinson, 03.16.2007.jpg|alt=Illustrated and owned by Signe Wilkerson. Human astronaut landing on a extraterrestrial body, stating to an apparent extraterrestrial being "I'm looking for a judge with no ties to Bob Brady".|thumb|Illustrated and owned by Signe Wilkerson. Human astronaut landing on a extraterrestrial body, stating to an apparent extraterrestrial being "I'm looking for a judge with no ties to Bob Brady".]]
Wilkinson began her career as a '''reporter''' but eventually shifted to editorial cartooning after realizing her interest in both '''art and politics'''. She worked for various Philadelphia and New York publications before securing a full-time position at the ''San Jose Mercury News'' in '''1982''', where she worked as a staff cartoonist for three and a half years.


In late 2020, Wilkinson retired as the editorial cartoonist for ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' and the ''Philadelphia Daily News''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Famed Philadelphia political cartoonist retires after 35 years|first=Matteo|last=Iadonisi|work=[[WPVI-TV|WPVI]]|date=January 7, 2021|url=https://6abc.com/timely-cartoons-art-editorial/9442574/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Signe Wilkinson (Semi-) Retires|first=D. D.|last=Degg|website=The Daily Cartoonist|date=Dec 26, 2020|url=https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2020/12/26/signe-wilkinson-semi-retires/}}</ref> She still publishes cartoons in Sunday editions of the ''Inquirer''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Not a drop to drink|first=Signe|last=Wilkinson|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=July 30, 2023|url=https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/cartoons/phoenix-heat-wave-water-supply-signe-wilkinson-20230730.html}}</ref>
=== Philadelphia Daily News ===
In the mid-1980s, Wilkinson returned to '''Philadelphia''' and began working as an editorial cartoonist for the ''Philadelphia Daily News''. She became known for her bold, insightful cartoons that frequently tackled '''political corruption''', '''reproductive rights''', and '''civil liberties'''. Her work often reflected a '''liberal''' viewpoint with a focus on '''progressive''' social issues.


== Biography ==
Wilkinson remained a staff cartoonist at the ''Philadelphia Daily News'' and later for ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' until her retirement from daily cartooning in '''late 2020'''. However, she continues to contribute cartoons for the ''Sunday editions'' of the ''Inquirer''.
=== Early life and education ===
Wilkinson was born into a [[Quaker]] family in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]] on July 25, 1950. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English at the [[University of Denver]]. She then attended the [[Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts]]; to support herself, she worked with graphic design at the [[Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University|Academy of Natural Sciences]], and various regional newspapers hired her as a stringer.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Drawn to Purpose|last=Kennedy|first=Martha|publisher=University Press of Mississippi|year=2018|isbn=9781496815965|location=Jackson|pages=153–154}}</ref>


=== Career ===
=== Comic Strips ===
After Wilkinson received her BA in English, she began to pursue careers in journalism. She worked as a reporter, stringing for the ''Daily Post'', the [[King of Prussia, Pennsylvania|King of Prussia]], and the [[West Chester, Pennsylvania|West Chester]] ''Daily Local News''.<ref name=":1" /> She also worked for the Quakers and the [[Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University]] before working for a housing project in [[Cyprus]]. This job shortly ended due to a coup d'état in Cyprus, followed by a military invasion from [[Turkey]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartoonistgroup.com/properties/template_about.php?id=128|title=Background About Signe Wilkinson|website=www.cartoonistgroup.com|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref> Once Wilkinson returned to reporting, she would draw the people she reported on.
Beyond editorial cartoons, Wilkinson also explored comic strips.


Realizing her interest in both art and politics, Wilkinson attended the [[Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts|Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts]] for a year. During her time there, she stringed for various Philadelphia and New York publications. In 1982, she earned a full-time job at the ''[[The Mercury News|San Jose Mercury News]]'', where she spent three and a half years working as a cartoonist.<ref name=":2" /> In the mid-1980s, Wilkinson worked for the ''[[Philadelphia Daily News]]'' as a cartoonist, where she still draws five cartoons a week.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.arcamax.com/politics/editorialcartoons/signewilkinson/biography|title=Signe Wilkinson|work=ArcaMax|access-date=2018-11-28|language=en}}</ref> In 1992, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning.<ref name=":0" /> The same year, she released her first collection of cartoons, ''Abortion Cartoons on Demand''.<ref name=":5" /> Wilkinson has also created cartoons for ''[[Working Woman (magazine)|Working Woman]]'', ''[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms.]]'', ''[[Organic Gardening (magazine)|Organic Gardening]]'', the Institute for Research on Higher Education and several other publications, such as the ''[[Friends Journal]]'' and the [[University Barge Club]] newspaper.<ref name=":1" />
* '''Family Tree''' (2007-2011): Syndicated by United Media, this strip focused on environmental issues and family life. It concluded in '''2011'''.
* '''Shrubbery''': Created for ''Organic Gardening'' magazine, this strip combined '''botanical humor''' with '''political commentary'''.


In 1992, she published her first collection of her work, entitled ''Abortion Cartoons on Demand''.<ref name=":5" /> In 2005, she released her second collection of cartoons, ''One Nation, Under Surveillance: Cartoon Rants on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Privacy''.<ref name=":4" />
== Style and Themes ==
Wilkinson's cartoons are characterized by:


She served as president of the [[Association of American Editorial Cartoonists]] from 1994 to 1995.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
* '''Satirical depictions''' of current events and political figures.
* '''Liberal perspective''' with commentary on '''reproductive rights''', '''civil liberties''', and '''environmentalism'''.
* A '''unique, sharp line art style''' paired with '''witty captions'''.


On November 21, 2007, Wilkinson launched a syndicated daily comic strip with [[United Media]] entitled ''Family Tree''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/wilkinson_signe.htm|title=Signe Wilkinson|website=lambiek.net|language=en|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref> This strip focused on environmental issues. ''Family Tree'' concluded on August 27, 2011. For ''[[Organic Gardening (magazine)|Organic Gardening]]'' magazine, Wilkinson created a comic strip entitled ''Shrubbery'' that centered on botanical and political topics.<ref name=":3" /> [[The Washington Post Writers Group]] syndicated Wilkinson's cartoons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gocomics.com/signewilkinson/about|title=About Signe Wilkinson|website=www.gocomics.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref>
Her work has often sparked controversy due to her outspoken criticism of '''conservative policies'''. Former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House '''Samuel Smith''' once sarcastically referred to her as the "'''Pennsylvania state vegetable substitute'''."


== Personal life ==
== Awards and Honors ==
Wilkinson and her husband live in Pennsylvania with their two birds, five goldfish, and a dog named "Ginger."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoonist/profile.cfm/WilkiS/|title=AAEC - Signe Wilkinson Cartoonist Profile|website=editorialcartoonists.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref>
Wilkinson has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career:


== Awards ==
* '''1991''': Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning
* 1991: [[Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/syndication/cartoonists/signe-wilkinson/?name=signe_wilkinson|title=Signe Wilkinson|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>
* '''1992''': '''Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning''' (first woman to win this award)<ref>[http://www.moore.edu/support_moore/visionary_woman_awards Visionary Woman Award]</ref>
* 1992: [[Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/creator/19068/|title=Signe Wilkinson|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref>
* '''1996, 2000, 2006, 2014''': Overseas Press Club Award (Thomas Nast Award)
* 1996: [[Overseas Press Club]] Award- [[Thomas Nast Award]]<ref name=":0" />
* '''2002, 2008''': Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Cartooning
* 2000: Overseas Press Club Award- Thomas Nast Award<ref name=":0" />
* '''2011''': Visionary Woman Award from Moore College of Art & Design
* 2002: [[Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award]]- Cartoon<ref name=":0" />
* '''2013''': Aronson Award for Cartooning with a Conscience
* 2006: Overseas Press Club Award- Thomas Nast Award<ref name=":0" />
* 2008: [[Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award]]- Cartoon<ref name=":0" />
* 2011: Visionary Woman Award from [[Moore College of Art and Design|Moore College of Art & Design]]<ref name=":0" />
* 2013: Aronson Award for Cartooning- Cartooning with a Conscience<ref name=":0" />
* 2014: Overseas Press Club Award- Thomas Nast Award<ref name=":0" />


== Notable works ==
== Publications ==
* ''Abortion Cartoons on Demand'' (Cartoonist Group, 1992)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://cartoonistgroup.com/properties/signe/signetoons/bio.htm|title=Signe Wilkinson|website=cartoonistgroup.com|access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref>
Wilkinson has published and contributed to several books, including:
* ''One Nation, Under Surveillance: Cartoon Rants on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Privacy'' (Cartoonist Group, 2005)<ref name=":4" />
* Illustrations for ''Mike McGrath's Book of Compost'' by Mike McGrath (Sterling, 2006)<ref name=":4" />
* Illustrations for ''You Bet Your Tomatoes'' by Mike McGrath (reissued in 2008)<ref name=":4" />
* Illustrations for ''Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide'' by Don Russell (Camino Books, 2008)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caminobooks.com/collections/travel/products/joe-sixpacks-philly-beer-guide-a-reporters-notes-on-the-best-beer-drinking-city-in-america|title = Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter's Notes on the Best Beer-D – Camino Books, Inc}}</ref>
* Contributor to cartoon collection of ''Sex and Sensibility: Ten Women Examine the Lunacy of Modern Love in 200 Cartoons'' (Twelve, 2008)<ref name=":4" />
* ''Family Tree'' with [[United Media]] (November 21, 2007 – August 27, 2011)<ref name=":3" />
* ''Shrubbery'' for ''[[Organic Gardening (magazine)|Organic Gardening]]''<ref name=":3" />


==References==
* '''Abortion Cartoons on Demand''' (1992) – A collection focusing on '''reproductive rights'''.
{{reflist}}
* '''One Nation, Under Surveillance: Cartoon Rants on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Privacy''' (2005) – Addressing '''civil liberties''' and '''privacy concerns'''.
* '''Sex and Sensibility: Ten Women Examine the Lunacy of Modern Love in 200 Cartoons''' (2008) – Contributor.
* '''Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide''' by Don Russell (2008) – Illustrator.
* '''Mike McGrath's Book of Compost''' (2006) – Illustrator.
* '''You Bet Your Tomatoes''' by Mike McGrath (2008) – Illustrator.
 
== Legacy and Influence ==
Wilkinson's groundbreaking career has paved the way for other '''women in editorial cartooning''', a historically male-dominated field. She has used her platform to advocate for '''gender equality''', '''reproductive rights''', and '''progressive social change'''.


==External links==
She served as '''President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC)''' from '''1994 to 1995''', further contributing to the advancement of the field.
* {{official website|http://www.signetoons.com}}
* [http://www.gocomics.com/familytree/ ''Family Tree''] at GoComics
* {{C-SPAN|20197}}


{{PulitzerPrize EditorialCartooning 1976–2000}}
== Personal Life ==
Wilkinson resides in '''Pennsylvania''' with her husband. They share their home with a '''dog''', two '''birds''', and five '''goldfish'''. She continues to contribute to political discourse through her '''Sunday cartoons''' for ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''.


{{authority control}}
== Impact and Legacy ==
Signe Wilkinson remains a trailblazer in the editorial cartooning world, not only for her achievements as a '''Pulitzer Prize''' winner but also for her influence on the next generation of cartoonists, especially '''women''' in the field. Her fearless critique of social and political issues continues to inspire and challenge readers.


==References==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Signe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Signe}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
Line 88: Line 74:
[[Category:Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning winners]]
[[Category:Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning winners]]
[[Category:People from Wichita Falls, Texas]]
[[Category:People from Wichita Falls, Texas]]
<references />
==External links==
* [http://www.gocomics.com/familytree/ ''Family Tree''] at GoComics

Latest revision as of 21:59, 3 January 2025

Signe Wilkinson
Signe Wilkinson

Signe Wilkinson (born July 25, 1950) is an American editorial cartoonist best known for her work with the Philadelphia Daily News. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1992 and is known for her sharp, irreverent style and focus on political and social issues.

Early Life and Education

Signe Wilkinson was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, into a Quaker family on July 25, 1950. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Denver. Later, she attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to study art while working at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. During her studies, Wilkinson worked as a stringer for various newspapers, including the Daily Post, King of Prussia Courier, and West Chester Daily Local News.[1]

Career

Early Career

Illustrated and owned by Signe Wilkerson. Human astronaut landing on a extraterrestrial body, stating to an apparent extraterrestrial being "I'm looking for a judge with no ties to Bob Brady".
Illustrated and owned by Signe Wilkerson. Human astronaut landing on a extraterrestrial body, stating to an apparent extraterrestrial being "I'm looking for a judge with no ties to Bob Brady".

Wilkinson began her career as a reporter but eventually shifted to editorial cartooning after realizing her interest in both art and politics. She worked for various Philadelphia and New York publications before securing a full-time position at the San Jose Mercury News in 1982, where she worked as a staff cartoonist for three and a half years.

Philadelphia Daily News

In the mid-1980s, Wilkinson returned to Philadelphia and began working as an editorial cartoonist for the Philadelphia Daily News. She became known for her bold, insightful cartoons that frequently tackled political corruption, reproductive rights, and civil liberties. Her work often reflected a liberal viewpoint with a focus on progressive social issues.

Wilkinson remained a staff cartoonist at the Philadelphia Daily News and later for The Philadelphia Inquirer until her retirement from daily cartooning in late 2020. However, she continues to contribute cartoons for the Sunday editions of the Inquirer.

Comic Strips

Beyond editorial cartoons, Wilkinson also explored comic strips.

  • Family Tree (2007-2011): Syndicated by United Media, this strip focused on environmental issues and family life. It concluded in 2011.
  • Shrubbery: Created for Organic Gardening magazine, this strip combined botanical humor with political commentary.

Style and Themes

Wilkinson's cartoons are characterized by:

  • Satirical depictions of current events and political figures.
  • Liberal perspective with commentary on reproductive rights, civil liberties, and environmentalism.
  • A unique, sharp line art style paired with witty captions.

Her work has often sparked controversy due to her outspoken criticism of conservative policies. Former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Samuel Smith once sarcastically referred to her as the "Pennsylvania state vegetable substitute."

Awards and Honors

Wilkinson has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career:

  • 1991: Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning
  • 1992: Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning (first woman to win this award)[2]
  • 1996, 2000, 2006, 2014: Overseas Press Club Award (Thomas Nast Award)
  • 2002, 2008: Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Cartooning
  • 2011: Visionary Woman Award from Moore College of Art & Design
  • 2013: Aronson Award for Cartooning with a Conscience

Publications

Wilkinson has published and contributed to several books, including:

  • Abortion Cartoons on Demand (1992) – A collection focusing on reproductive rights.
  • One Nation, Under Surveillance: Cartoon Rants on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Privacy (2005) – Addressing civil liberties and privacy concerns.
  • Sex and Sensibility: Ten Women Examine the Lunacy of Modern Love in 200 Cartoons (2008) – Contributor.
  • Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide by Don Russell (2008) – Illustrator.
  • Mike McGrath's Book of Compost (2006) – Illustrator.
  • You Bet Your Tomatoes by Mike McGrath (2008) – Illustrator.

Legacy and Influence

Wilkinson's groundbreaking career has paved the way for other women in editorial cartooning, a historically male-dominated field. She has used her platform to advocate for gender equality, reproductive rights, and progressive social change.

She served as President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) from 1994 to 1995, further contributing to the advancement of the field.

Personal Life

Wilkinson resides in Pennsylvania with her husband. They share their home with a dog, two birds, and five goldfish. She continues to contribute to political discourse through her Sunday cartoons for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Impact and Legacy

Signe Wilkinson remains a trailblazer in the editorial cartooning world, not only for her achievements as a Pulitzer Prize winner but also for her influence on the next generation of cartoonists, especially women in the field. Her fearless critique of social and political issues continues to inspire and challenge readers.

References

  1. ↑ Altersitz, Katrina. "Not a Funny Situation: In the Shrinking Field of Editorial Cartoonists, Women are Scarce." American Journalism Review, vol. 27, no. 3, 2005, p. 14+. Academic OneFile. Retrieved 3 Dec. 2018.
  2. ↑ Visionary Woman Award

External links

Retrieved from "https://cartoonwiki.toonsmag.org/index.php?title=Signe_Wilkinson&oldid=199394"