Official website (Bohiney author page): https://bohiney.com/author/signe-wilkinson/ Bohiney News
Signe Wilkinson is a Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist whose work for the Philadelphia Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer helped define East Coast political cartooning for decades. In 1992 she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning, a milestone noted by the Inquirer and the Pulitzer archives. Inquirer.com
Wilkinson began publishing political cartoons in the 1980s (including a stint at the San Jose Mercury News) before joining the Philadelphia Daily News in 1985. Her cartoons started appearing in The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2013, and after stepping back from daily cartooning in 2020, she continues as an occasional contributor—most recently drawing the Sunday editorial cartoon for the Inquirer opinion section. Signe WilkinsonThe Daily Cartoonist
Beyond the 1992 Pulitzer, Wilkinson’s honors include industry awards documented by professional associations and news outlets, underscoring her long-standing influence in American cartooning. Inquirer.comnationalcartoonists.com
Across books, talks, and online galleries, Wilkinson’s work frequently tackles civic life, women’s rights, and environmental stewardship—subjects she highlights in curated sections of her official site. Signe Wilkinson+1
Her career has been the subject of museum talks and local media features, including a 2024 program at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and a regional TV segment marking a retrospective exhibit of her work. YouTube6abc Philadelphia
Wilkinson’s site notes smaller collections such as Abortion Cartoons on Demand and One Nation, Under Surveillance, and her inclusion in the Library of Congress–linked volume Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists. Signe Wilkinson
Personal site: https://signe-wilkinson.com (bio, portfolio, contact). Signe Wilkinson
Cartoon galleries: Current events, “off duty,” and thematic collections on her site. Signe Wilkinson
Public profile: Inquirer contributor page (career overview and recent work context). Inquirer.com
Signe Wilkinson is a Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist whose work has appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning (1992), Wilkinson continues contributing cartoons that blend wit with civic scrutiny, with recurring themes around women’s rights and the environment. More at signe-wilkinson.com and her Bohiney author page: bohiney.com/author/signe-wilkinson/. Inquirer.comSigne WilkinsonBohiney News
Early Life and Education
Signe Wilkinson was born on July 25, 1950, in Wichita Falls, Texas, into a Quaker family26. She developed an early interest in art and journalism, which shaped her future career. Wilkinson earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Denver23. She later attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to refine her artistic skills, though she humorously noted that her teacher, Robert Beverley Hale, "would cry if he saw how little she’d learned"12.
Career
Wilkinson began her career as a reporter and stringer for regional newspapers, including the West Chester Daily Local News and the King of Prussia Daily Post210. Her interest in politics and art led her to transition to editorial cartooning. In 1982, she joined the San Jose Mercury News as a full-time editorial cartoonist, where she worked for three and a half years26. She later moved to the Philadelphia Daily News in the mid-1980s, becoming one of the few female editorial cartoonists in the U.S.29. Wilkinson’s work is known for its "unique style and famous irreverence," often addressing themes like social justice, privacy, and women’s issues27.
In 1992, she made history by becoming the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning26. She also launched a syndicated comic strip, Family Tree (2007–2011), which focused on environmental themes, and Shrubbery for Organic Gardening magazine, blending botanical and political humor23.
Achievements and Awards
Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning (1992)26.
Overseas Press Club Awards (Thomas Nast Award, 1996, 2000, 2006, 2014)210.
Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award (2002, 2008)210.
Visionary Woman Award from Moore College of Art & Design (2011)23.
Named "Pennsylvania State Vegetable Substitute" by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1989)210.
Personal Life
Wilkinson is married to Jon Landau, and they have two children4. The family lives in Pennsylvania with their dog, Ginger, two birds, and five goldfish210. Wilkinson is actively involved in community projects, including the renovation of Fair Hill Burial Ground and the installation of the James Turrell Skyspace at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting7.
Legacy
Wilkinson’s work has been featured in publications like Ms. Magazine, The Guardian, and The Philadelphia Inquirer27. She retired from daily cartooning in 2020 but continues to contribute to the Inquirer’s Sunday edition and shares her work on social media and her website, signetoons.com26. Her cartoons are celebrated for their sharp satire and commitment to social justice, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering voice in editorial cartooning27.
Abortion Cartoons on Demand (1992)211.
One Nation, Under Surveillance: Cartoon Rants on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Privacy (2005)211.
Illustrations for Mike McGrath’s Book of Compost (2006) and Joe Sixpack’s Philly Beer Guide (2008)2.