Beautiful Betty Boop©

What’s your favorite cartoon?

Born from the brilliant mind of Grim Natwick at the request of Dave Fleischer in 1930. A beautiful slim, petite, dark-haired female emerged. She became the first female cartoon character to face the TV screen. While I was 31 years late to her debut I believe I met her in reruns. Even though she appeared to me in black and white, it didn’t matter. Her bubbly personality, her mannerisms, confidence, and poise gave me something to strive for. I can only imagine that she was created at a time when women needed to be represented by someone who could make them feel both seen and heard and I believe Beautiful Betty Boop did all of those things for the majority of women.

Beautiful Betty Boop for whatever reason disappeared for some time re-emerging right when I needed her in the 1980s. I had just graduated high school and shortly after became a first-time single mother at the hands of domestic violence.

I remembered that I had a Betty Boop wallet, checkbook, and keychain. Now I find myself wishing I had hung onto these hidden gems.

Being the first female cartoon character has to have been quite a big burden to bear but her many changes occurred so seamlessly that you nearly knew that over time ten different women portrayed her character.

Beautiful Betty Boop I think it’s time once again to resurrect your character. Please consider returning to all those who need you.

Beautiful Betty Boop©

By Felina Silver

Copyright©️ December 2024