Twenty-five Years Of Humorous Wisdom --- As Cathy Creator Visits CMC

In 1976 Cathy Guisewite became the first woman to break the "paper ceiling" of the comic pages with her comic strip Cathy, the first widely syndicated humor strip by a female cartoonist. Millions of fans read Cathy each day in one of 1,500 newspapers. Topics have evolved since 1976 from issues like the right to work, to the difficulties of having a career and a family, but broader themes remain the same.
Guisewite identifies these themes as "the four basic guilt groups-food, love, mom and work." Although her own life has changed in many ways since starting the comic strip, she insists that the character Cathy and its artist share much in common. "We're both trying to be dynamic business people, nurturing homeowners, loving partners, environmentally correct citizens, financial wizards, loyal friends, community activists . . . and a size five all at once." She adds, "also, we're trying to find the appropriate outfit and matching shoes for each life role."
No matter how much of a struggle it may be for Cathy in the comic strip, Guisewite herself seems to be balancing things with great success: she has received the National Cartoonists Society's Ruben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year and an Emmy for her first animated television special featuring Cathy.
Guisewite's visit also corresponds with the College's yearlong commemoration of the 25th anniversary of women at CMC. Her visit is sponsored by CMC's Berger Institute of Work, Family, and Children, and the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. The lecture is free and open to public on a first-come basis. For additional information contact the Athenaeum at 621-8244.