Etta Hulme (December 22, 1923 – June 25, 2014) was an influential American editorial cartoonist known for her liberal perspective and understated drawing style. She worked as a syndicated cartoonist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 1972 until her retirement in 2008, becoming one of the most prominent female cartoonists in the United States.
Early Life and Education
Etta Grace Parks was born on December 22, 1923, in Somerville, Texas, to Charles and Grace (Redford) Parks. She developed an early interest in art and cartooning, submitting cartoons to The New Yorker as a teenager, though they were not published.
Hulme graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a fine arts degree. She later moved to California, where she worked for Walt Disney Studios under the guidance of legendary animator Ward Kimball.
Career
Early Work and Freelancing
In the 1950s, Hulme began freelancing for the progressive publication The Texas Observer, contributing illustrations and cartoons. She developed a sharp, insightful style that blended political satire with wit, setting the foundation for her later editorial cartooning career.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Hulme's breakthrough came in 1972 when she joined the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as an editorial cartoonist. Her cartoons often addressed Texas politics, national issues, and social justice, with a distinctive liberal voice. Her work was nationally syndicated and widely recognized for its sharp commentary and minimalist drawing style.
Style and Themes
Hulme's cartoons were known for their understated visual style paired with provocative political messages. She frequently addressed topics such as:
- Civil rights and equality
- Women’s rights
- Texas state politics
- The environment
- Criticism of conservative figures (notably Rush Limbaugh)
Her work was often compared to fellow Texan commentator Molly Ivins and Governor Ann Richards for its liberal stance and sharp wit.
Major Works and Notable Coverage
Hulme covered numerous significant historical events through her cartoons, including:
- The Waco Siege – which she described as one of the most distressing events she depicted.
- The Iraq War and U.S. foreign policy
- The George W. Bush Administration
Her final cartoon, published in December 2008, depicted George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, marking the end of her career with the Star-Telegram.
Awards and Recognition
Etta Hulme was widely recognized for her contributions to editorial cartooning, earning numerous awards and honors:
- National Cartoonists Society Editorial Cartoon Award (1981, 1998)
- President of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC)
- Four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Cartooning
She was a trailblazer for women in editorial cartooning, establishing herself well before figures like Signe Wilkinson and M.G. Lord became prominent in the field.
Personal Life
Etta married Vernon C. Hulme in 1952 in Kitzingen, Germany. The couple had four children: two boys and two girls. Hulme balanced her career with raising her family while remaining committed to political cartooning.
Legacy and Death
Etta Hulme retired from editorial cartooning in 2008 following a career that spanned over three decades. She suffered a heart attack in early 2009 and passed away at her home in Arlington, Texas, on June 25, 2014, at the age of 90.
Hulme’s legacy remains significant in the field of editorial cartooning. She broke barriers for female cartoonists in a male-dominated profession and inspired generations of artists with her bold, socially conscious work. Her cartoons continue to be studied for their impact and historical significance in American political commentary.
Further reading
- Unforgettably Etta: A compilation of cartoons. Hulme, E. (1993). Fort Worth, Tex: Fort Worth Star-Telegram.