Cathy Guisewite
Cathy Guisewite is the creator of the comic strip CATHY, which debuted in newspapers in November 1976. The strip chronicles the trials, tribulations and inherent humor in the life of a typical American woman balancing a new marriage, a demanding job and loving, yet, very involved parents. It appears in approximately 1,400 newspapers worldwide.
Guisewite is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Reuben Award for "Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year" from the National Cartoonists Society in 1993. The strip has also been nominated for "Best Comic Strip" on numerous occasions. In 1987, Guisewite received an Emmy for "Outstanding Animated Program" for her first animated special, "CATHY," which aired on CBS. Two more animated specials have been broadcast in the U.S., "CATHY's Last Resort" and "CATHY's Valentine," both receiving high acclaim from critics. Guisewite has received several honorary degrees as well.
Guisewite sits on the 2006 Board of Judges for the Talbots Charitable Foundation Women’s Scholarship Fund. In 2005, her online gift wedding registry for comic characters Cathy and Irving raised $25,000 for the Pet Orphans of Southern California, an organization where she and her daughter volunteer. In 2001, Guisewite was presented a Genesis Award from the Ark Trust Foundation for her comic strips promoting animal issues such as anti-fur usage and adoption of older animals from shelters.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Guisewite attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and received a B.A. in English in 1972. After graduating, she went into advertising as a writer for Campbell-Ewald Advertising (1972-73) and Norman Prady Ltd. (1973-74). As a vice president, she left W.B. Doner & Co. Advertising in 1977.
Cathy is a member of the National Cartoonists Society. She is included in Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in American Journalism and The International Authors' and Writers' Who's Who.
Cathy is currently a resident of Los Angeles. She lives with her husband, screenwriter/director Chris Wilkinson, daughter and stepson.
