Alison Bechdel

Alison Bechdel (born September 10, 1960) is an American cartoonist known for her long-running comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For. In 2006, she gained critical acclaim with her graphic memoir Fun Home, which was adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical in 2015. Bechdel released her second graphic memoir Are You My Mother? in 2012. She was honored with the MacArthur 'Genius' Award in 2014. Bechdel is also famous for creating the Bechdel test. Born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, she grew up in a Roman Catholic family. Her father, a veteran and English teacher, and her actress and teacher mother both influenced her career. Bechdel has two brothers, Bruce and John.