Lee Heidhues 4.12.2022
Eleanor Ohman died in 2006 at the age of 87. Eleanor was a political artist ahead of her time who has never received the recognition she richly deserves.
Her legacy of generally unseen and unsung political cartoons would have passed into history except for a collection available at the San Francisco Public Library.
I got to know Eleanor when I worked as News Editor at San Francisco’s Black community newspaper, The Sun Reporter. Eleanor was the personal assistant to the Publisher Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett. Outspoken dynamo publisher, practicing physician and political force in San Francisco and beyond.
Eleanor was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).
Eleanor’s cartoons appeared regularly in The Sun Reporter editorial page. Her work took aim at War, racism, the cops, politicians. Her career as a political cartoonist spanned decades.
I got to know Eleanor. She was smart, politically saavy and kind. This is a woman who worked with Carlton Goodlett aka “The Doc” for decades and undoubtedly was a soothing influence to his fiery personality.
Following is a representative sampling of her work.
Lee's Perspective 