Women Who Draw

Women Who Draw was a free, open directory founded in 2017 by artists Wendy MacNaughton and Julia Rothman. It highlighted professional illustrators, artists, and cartoonists, with a focus on underrepresented groups such as women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized commercial artists. Over eight years, the platform connected thousands of artists with publishers, art directors, and editors, fostering career opportunities and community through events, resources, and collaborations. Many artists secured their first major assignments through Women Who Draw, including New Yorker covers and New York Times editorials. In 2025, the directory was archived after achieving its mission of increasing visibility for diverse illustrators.