The Women of Tattoo Series - Mildred “Millie” Hull
In this series, I am highlighting some of the different women in tattoo history that I look up to personally and look to for inspiration professionally. Tattoo history is not something that gets a lot of press. In fact, prior to becoming a tattoo artist, I knew very little about the history of tattoos and the artists on whose shoulders I am standing. I am looking forward to highlighting some of the women who blazed the tattoo trail for me.
Mildred “Millie” Hull circa 1930s
Birth
Mildred “Millie” Hull was born in New York City in 1896.
Life
Millie was not very interested in school and dropped out of school at the age of 13. She eventually joined the circus and paid the bills as an exotic dancer. She was encouraged by the management of the circus to get tattooed as she could make $80 a week performing as a “tattooed woman” and that was only the start.
Millie obtained her bodies worth of tattoos in a matter of sessions by New York City’s renowned tattoo artist Charlie Wagner. Eventually Millie became interested in tattooing as an artist and was trained by Charlie Wagner himself. She opened her own tattoo business in the 1930s, The Tattoo Emporium, during a time when tattooing in New York City was illegal.
Millie is heralded as New York City’s first female tattoo artist and known as the Mother of Modern Tattooing and Queen of the Bowery (a neighborhood in New York City known for having a shady reputation.
Death
Millie died on August 14, 1947. There are conflicting reports as to her cause of death. Some say that she committed suicide by poison. The police found her in a restaurant restroom and declared that she had been ill and had apparently died of natural causes, there was a bottle of pills beside her.
I was lucky enough to stumble across this vintage colorized footage of Millie tattooing circa 1937.
