There really was an original “tattooed lady,” and her name was Maud Wagner. The first woman in the U.S. to become a commercial tattoo artist, Wagner was born in a small town in central Kansas — before running away to join the circus.
To celebrate #nationaltattooday, it’s important to remember Maud’s story and how she became an icon of American tattoo culture.
You can hear the full story from KCUR’s Julie Denesha on A People’s History of KC, available wherever you get podcasts.
Photos attained via the South Street Seaport Museum, Library of Congress, and Lyon County History Center and Museum.
Also big shout out to Danni Parelman and Windhorse Tattoo for filming with us!
🎙️Hosted by Julie Denesha
📹Produced and filmed by Zach Perez
🖥️Edited by Gabe Rosenberg
#kansascity #history #tattoo
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