Hilda Terry

Hilda Terry, born Theresa Hilda D’Alessio on June 25, 1914, in the United States, was an American cartoonist best known for creating the long-running newspaper comic strip *Teena*, which appeared from 1944 to 1964. She entered the comics field in the 1940s, and her work—often signed as Theresa H. D’Alessio after marriage—reflected a lively, character-driven style. Terry made history in 1950 as the first woman admitted to the National Cartoonists Society, breaking a significant gender barrier in the industry. Over her career, she contributed as an artist, inker, and writer to dozens of issues across titles such as *Skippern*, *Allers familie-journal*, *A-1*, and *Rip Kirby*, with *Teena* remaining her signature creation. She collaborated with various newspaper syndicates and fellow cartoonists of the era. Terry died on October 13, 2006, at age 92. Her legacy endures as a pioneering figure for women in comics, recognized for both her artistic output and her role in opening doors for future generations.