There are countless women who have paved the way for female tattoo artists— as well as tattooing as a whole— like Millie Hull, who was the only female tattoo artist at the Bowery, learning under Charlie Wagner; Jesse Knight, who became Britain’s only female tattoo artist in the ‘20s (after some time in the circus); and Whang-od Oggay, the last practicing batok-style artist in the world. At age 102, Oggay continues to share her country’s rich Kalinga tattoo traditions.
Then, there are the fearless females who are important well beyond the tattoo world. Tattoos of these women are walking around on the streets, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, tattooed on celebrities like Pete Davidson, along with hundreds of others.
Lastly, there are the incredible, everyday women who show they couldn’t give less of a damn about societal boxes, nor being “lady-like.” These are the ones who proudly show this off through their ink. To honor Women’s History Month, we have compiled some badass body art for all you badass babes and mermaids-against-misogyny (and allies).
AFTER ALL, WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN RARELY MAKE HISTORY.
