Guisewite, Cathy (Lee) (1950- ), American cartoonist, creator of the cartoon strip "Cathy." She was born in Dayton, Ohio, and educated at the University of Michigan. She started her career by writing advertising copy and in 1974 joined the W. B. Doner ~~Cathy," was syndicated nationally in 1976. The subject is a young, single, working woman caught between tradition and feminism. The supportive-antagonistic relationship between mother and daughter is a key element in the strips, as is the relationship between Cathy and her boyfriend.

In addition to the newspaper version of "Cathy," Guisewite contributes a monthly magazine strip and lectures widely. Her animated cartoon, "Cathy," based on the newspaper cartoon strip, won an Emmy Award in 1987. Guisewite's cartoons have been collected and published in numerous books.