Jackie Ormes

• Born 1911-08-01 · Died 1985-12-25

Zelda Jackson worked as newspaper proofreader while in high school and became a reporter. She married Earl Ormes in 1936 and changed her name to Jackie Ormes. She began her "Torchy" comic strip in 1937. She created "Candy" with a sexy, sassy Black maid and gave Black servicemen a pin-up. Ormes' daughter died at age 3 but inspired "Patty Jo 'n' Ginger" (1946-1956). Ormes designed a Patty Jo doll to be more realistic than those commonly produced. Ormes started "Torchy Brown Heartbeats" in 1950, in which Torchy battled racism, attempted rape, and pollution. Arthritis ended Ormes' career in 1956.