LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - JUNE 23, 2019 by Lynne Belluscio In March, the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Sen- eca Falls announced the 2019 nominees for the Hall of Fame. Among the class of 2019, is Rose O’Neill, the most prolific Jell-O illustrator and the origi- nator of the Kewpies. But it is not these accomplishments that qualified her for this honor. It was her involvement with the women’s suffrage movement. Rose O’Neill was born in 1874 and her artistic skill was recognized when she was young. She became one of most prolific commercial artists in the early 1900s and was considered to be the highest paid female graphic artist at the time. Rose was hired by the D’ Archy Ad- vertising Agency in New York City and produced over 100 il- lustrations for Jell-O. (Last year the Historical Society received four original Jell-O drawings from her nephew.) The intro- duction of the Kewpies took the country by storm and the Kew- pie was the most recognized cartoon character until Mickey Mouse. She led a rather unusu- al life style which included a steadfast commitment to wom- en’s suffrage. She used the little Kewpie, dressed with a suffrage sash, to promote women’s right to vote. She designed posters, post cards, and promotional pieces for a variety of women’s rights organizations and partici- pated in marches and parades in support of the women’s move- ment. She also promoted more sensible clothing and attire for women and encouraged women to wear flowing trousers with tunics, instead of the corseted Edwardian fashions. Rose died in 1944. The induction ceremony will take place at the Casino Del Lago near Waterloo on Septem- ber 14. Tickets are available. Nine other nominees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor; attorney, Gloria Allred; Civil Rights activist, Angela Davis; Native Ameri- can lawyer, Sarah Deer; retired Air Force figher pilot, Nicole Malachowski; New York Con- gresswoman, Louise Slaughter; actress, Jane Fonda; composer Laurie Spiegel; and AIDS re- searcher, Flossie Wong-Staal. Rose O’Neill Rose O’Neill 2019 Inductee for the Women’s Hall of Fame NOTICE! DEADLINE CHANGE! Due to the Independence Day Holiday... The DEADLINE For Ad & News copy for the Issue of July 7 is moving up to MONDAY, JULY 1ST AT NOON