27 Comments

What a wonderful event! So happy to hear you were front and center. I'm sure it was an honor to part of wonderful women in the art of cartooning.

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Love this so much! A Room of One’s Own was pivotal for me as well and I truly appreciate your bringing it to light in 2024.😍

Expand full comment

JUST "WOW!"

Expand full comment

In all fairness, really, the male perspective of those days should be articulated:

“Well, my dear. It’s obvious why men must have their own proper study, in which to write letters to The Times to correct their dispatches. You would, of course, object if I were to smoke my cigars in the parlour. What is more, a man must have a space in which to discuss with his friends manly things unfit for a woman’s gentle ear. Not that you should need any such explanation as you know full well that the freehold of this house is mine and not yours. Now, run off and attend to your household duties. I will brook no return to the subject. Am I understood? Well, then, my dear, run along.”

I’m sure you agree that the argument unfolds with impeccable, unassailable logic from the indisputable difference between the sexes, that of childbirth and child nurturing on the part of the woman and the great sacrifices than the man makes in an extended deprivation of his conjugal rights. How it could possibly be different I completely fail to understand. Every man with the faculty of reason agrees with me on this.

Your servant, I am sure,

Percy Porfirio Pumphry

Pumphry Manor

Darrowby, Yorkshire

Expand full comment

Hahahahaha! Love it.

Expand full comment

Love, love, love the cartoon. "Room of my own is in my head." Brilliant. So thrilled to see everyone at the exhibit. It's difficult to take care of all we, as women, need to take care of, AND be creative. Thank God I'm blessed in that I can do both; however, sometimes one or another of those things gets less attention than I'd like. It looks like a good time was had by all. Con-cats.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Allia. It was a grand time, for sure.

Expand full comment

Bravo!

Expand full comment

Bravo Liza! Wish I had been there!

Expand full comment

So good to know you make a difference

Expand full comment

I really wish I could see these cartoons by women. I live too far away (Nashville) to come to the exhibit but would love to learn more about these artists by seeing their pieces and then looking them up. But congratulations on this show and highlighting current women engaged in sharing their views and insights. Encourages all of us.

Expand full comment

Maybe I should post all of them online, if the artists would give me permission. Never able to do a book like this now--publishing is such a mess. Thank you for saying those things. I hope its encouraging in some way.

Expand full comment

I love what you say about a room of one's own, a space where we feel free to create what's real for us. Thank you for sharing this great event.

Expand full comment

I love Augustine’s sketch of you!

Expand full comment

Isn't it great?!

Expand full comment

Such an enlightening, powerful full of impact Substack read today to begin the morning. Even to this date, I think even professional educated women face the constraining biases of what women’s place at the home is when they try to engage in some space of their own to pursue some literary or creative work... It is a laughed at sometimes as non-productive, worthless activity even if for the pleasure of self satisfaction or outlet for our creative inclinations,! It happens from partners, relatives, friends..This article of yours Is a much needed feedback on this matter. ... Many thanks to you and those cartoonists, supporting men like your husband, and male attendees.I could glimpse some bald men’s heads there. The link to Woolf essays, priceless! Writing this is a science educated retired professional who who finds time to draw when she can with lots of interruptions because she likes to do it and can (without formal education in drawing.), I have to face veiled comments about not doing something “serious” or worth the time (even though i am already retired from a long scientific career). it’s true what was said about monetary support. Had I had been born in a wealthy family, art would have been my line of studies, but no way I could entertain, even in the past century, to pursue my desire. A science diploma or the prospect of marrying a financially supportive husband. The latter did not happen. Ha ! For the better, I think. I never saw myself in that diminished role that some expected of me.-- all came out well, though, with some bumps on the road as always. It so happens your photos of the cartoons on the walls can be zoomed in and we all can enjoy them Thanks again!!!!

Expand full comment

I did not mean to diminish the role of a wife above, I revere my mother and aunts and teachers, sisters and friends, co-workers I knew as well as others for their caring, loving, supporting, guiding roles and emotional intelligence the enlightened my understanding of the human nature, I just did not agree with the idea of the older men of the times of how my gender and marriage status was meant to shape my future life.. I hope I have cleared this well enough.

Expand full comment

I totally agree. My mother's life was taken from her because of societal norms, I believe. That drives me.

Expand full comment

Your long comment is very very appreciated. One thing I don't often express is my frustration with the fact that the world (a lot of it) does not take cartoons seriously, unless they are done by an "EDITORIAL CARTOONIST" at a major newspaper (usually a male cartoonist). And that they are about leaders and wars and such. I have always said that commentary in visuals about daily life (of women) is as political as it can get. And like some films, can open people's eyes. ANd when a cartoon is drawn by a woman, it is less seriously considered. Still. Your comments embolden me that doing my documentary is worthwhile. Thank you. (and btw, I also realize I was able to do cartooning because of my socio-economic background. not lost on me. My other interest was science, but cartooning took off, I was lucky that I found what I love to do. I hope you continue drawing constantly!)

Expand full comment

I do...It’s the “me time” that I enjoy the most. Wish you continued success in helping to elevate the respect for Women’s contributions to society. You are in the right track!! ---

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Looks like a lot of fun. Wish the photos of the cartoons were bigger, I couldn't read all of the captions. The ones I could were great! I DO have a room of my own for photography, reading and correspondence. I'm fortunate.

Expand full comment

Excellent!

Expand full comment

Absolutely classic! Some of those hit pretty close to home, like the one about going to the store and getting the wrong thing or forgetting altogether, but hysterical! What a great event, and thank you for sharing!

Expand full comment

How funny! I hope some of them resonate in a warm and funny way.

Expand full comment

Absolutely, especially the one I mentioned. It’s already an inside joke between my wife and me. 🤣

Expand full comment