Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins

by Mary Frances Phillips

The first biography of Ericka Huggins, a queer Black woman who brought spiritual self-care practices to the Black Panther Party.

In this groundbreaking biography, Mary Frances Phillips immerses readers in the life and legacy of Ericka Huggins, a revered Black Panther Party member, as well as a mother, widow, educator, poet, and former political prisoner. In 1969, the police arrested Ericka Huggins along with Bobby Seale and fellow Black Panther Party members, who were accused of murdering Alex Rackley. This marked the beginning of her ordeal, as she became the subject of political persecution and a well-planned FBI COINTELPRO plot.

Drawing on never-before-seen archival sources, including prison records, unpublished letters, photographs, FBI records, and oral histories, Phillips foregrounds the paramount role of self-care and community care in Huggins’s political journey, shedding light on Ericka’s use of spiritual wellness practices she developed during her incarceration. In prison, Huggins was able to survive the repression and terror she faced while navigating motherhood through her unwavering commitment to spiritual practices. In showcasing this history, Phillips reveals the significance of spiritual wellness in the Black Panther Party and Black Power movement.

Transcending the traditional male-centric study of the Black Panther Party, Black Panther Woman offers an innovative analysis of Black political life at the intersections of gender, motherhood, and mass incarceration. This book serves as an invaluable toolkit for contemporary activists, underscoring the power of radical acts of care as well as vital strategies to thrive in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Queer, Social Justice, African American

320 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Due to my enduring interest in the 1960s, the Black Panthers loom large in my imagination: men in black berets, women in Afros, the Black Power salute. I’ve pored over photographs of them and the artwork they produced ([[Black Panther The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas - Emory Douglas]]), and regularly go back to archives of their newspapers. I even know some of the great figures in the BPP who happened to be women: Kathleen Cleaver, Elaine Brown, Afeni Shakur… And yes, Ericka Huggins. But I don’t know enough; so I welcomed this essential intervention into the history of one these heroes of the BPP and the Civil Rights Movement.

What’s special about this biography is that Mary Frances Phillips had access to Huggins through a series of interviews, in addition to archival sources and personal material that Huggins made available. This led to a quite personal and intimate biography, centring the thoughts, feelings and memories of Huggins herself—from the time she was imprisoned, a new mother, just after her husband had been killed by he police, through her years in the BPP, and after. Readers get insight into that time in prison as a Black woman at the height of COINTELPRO and the action against the BPP and other civil rights organisations, and then later as the BPP closed ranks against these external forces. Huggins’s voice is an important record in light of the BPP’s sexism and other forms of violence within, which has been extensively discussed elsewhere: Huggins was right there in the midst of it.

The goal of this biography is to highlight Huggins’s spiritual wellness practices as the way she coped with her struggles and trauma, and also how they’ve shaped her legacy; Phillips makes this point well. My main criticism, however, is the tendency to repetition; Phillips makes the same points over and over again as she tries to pull the threads of Huggins’s experiences into a cohesive narrative that fits this goal. Still, *Black Panther Woman* is timely, a potential manual for life for activists when it feels again like civil rights are at such great risk. As a historical record, there are fascinating details, as mentioned, about what life was like for Huggins—a young woman and mother deeply embedded in the BPP—and highlights of many of the activities that the BPP is now well known for. Mainly, this is giving Huggins her flowers while she’s still alive, and a sensitive and personal tribute.

Thanks to NYU Press and Edelweiss for early access.

[Chyanne Diaries · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying reading about the members of the Black Panther. History tends to minimize their impact and downplay who they were and what they represent. Propaganda to be exact. I have always heard about Huey Newton and Eldridge Cleaver when the topic of Black Panthers come up. So I took it upon myself to do my own research and I found Assata and Ericka Huggins and I’m glad I did. The women’s roles are so downplayed. What Ericka stood for and what she fought for despite everything in her personal life was very admirable. Hats off to her.

[Haerlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first biography of Ericka Huggins, a queer Black woman who brought spiritual self-care practices to the Black Panther Party.

In this groundbreaking biography, Mary Frances Phillips immerses readers in the life and legacy of Ericka Huggins, a revered Black Panther Party member, as well as a mother, widow, educator, poet, and former political prisoner. In 1969, the police arrested Ericka Huggins along with Bobby Seale and fellow Black Panther Party members, who were accused of murdering Alex Rackley. This marked the beginning of her ordeal, as she became the subject of political persecution and a well-planned FBI COINTELPRO plot.

Drawing on never-before-seen archival sources, including prison records, unpublished letters, photographs, FBI records, and oral histories, Phillips foregrounds the paramount role of self-care and community care in Huggins’s political journey, shedding light on Ericka’s use of spiritual wellness practices she developed during her incarceration. In prison, Huggins was able to survive the repression and terror she faced while navigating motherhood through her unwavering commitment to spiritual practices. In showcasing this history, Phillips reveals the significance of spiritual wellness in the Black Panther Party and Black Power movement.

Transcending the traditional male-centric study of the Black Panther Party, Black Panther Woman offers an innovative analysis of Black political life at the intersections of gender, motherhood, and mass incarceration. This book serves as an invaluable toolkit for contemporary activists, underscoring the power of radical acts of care as well as vital strategies to thrive in the world.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of Ericka Huggins, Black Panther Party member, wife, widow, mother, activist, queer, spiritual wellness practitioner and guide, and prison survivor is the story of a truly dedicated, empowering, "bad-ass" woman. From growing up with an abusive father, to living through Jim Crow, widowhood, and solitary confinement in prison we are introduced to a woman who was a true survivor.

During her imprisonment and later throughout her life, Ericka turned to meditation, yoga, writing, and a multitude of other spiritual wellness practices that saved her and the numerous fellow prisoners she helped. Ericka believed in "community" within both the prison population and the Black Panther Party as keys to survival as she lived to empowers others through healing practices.

As I was reading this I was once again appalled by the behaviors of white politicians, prison officers, and society in general towards the Black population. I am a white, retired teacher and counselor and still see too much of this same behavior being "swept under the rug" or blatantly dismissed by the general population as well as those who have been labeled as our political leaders. The world needs more women like Ericka Huggins. I could easily see this book as the subject of an entire college level class in Black Studies, Women's History, the Civil Rights Movement, and so many other areas.

[Shannan Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Frances Phillips tells the story of Ericka Huggins through her childhood, joining the Black Panther Party, her incarceration, release, and her job as a teacher. Throughout her journey, she kept grounded through meditation and yoga. She dealt with sexual, psychological, and physical abuse while in the justice system but with the help of other strong women they protected each other throughout. Before imprisonment, she suffered the loss of her husband through murders, she was pregnant with older daughter Mai when she was arrested with Bobby Seale. She missed out on her daughter's first two years of life. Outside of school, she was an administrator at the Oakland Community School. She was instrumental in implementing the Individualized Educational Program and the 504 program. Ericka Huggins has demonstrated strength through adversity and this book is inspirational to women going through dark times and how they can overcome spiritually and physically through yoga.

Thank you Netgalley and NYU Press for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins by Mary Frances Phillips is the first full biography of Ericka Huggins, a queer Black woman who introduced spiritual self-care practices to the Black Panther Party.

The book draws on interviews, archives, and oral histories to trace her life from her early years in D.C. through her activism with the Black Panther Party, to her incarceration and subsequent roles as an educator and spiritual leader.

Phillips' writing is informative and engaging, demonstrating how Huggins successfully integrated spirituality into her activism without losing sight of the big picture. The book highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in the Black Panther Party.

If you’re interested in civil rights history, women's studies, or how healing fits into political work, this is worth the read.

I received this Advance Reader Copy of Black Panther Woman from NYU Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Shakella "The Singing Bibliophile" Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book broke my heart. To read all of the pain and oppression endured by this woman was jarring. I was glad to read about someone other than Assata Shakur. Not that you really hear much about the women of the Black Panther Movement as it is. But Assata's story, for me, has been spoken about excessively. It was good to hear of another. I have never heard any stories about Ericka Huggins. She was a baaad girl!

This subject matter always causes me to become emotional, I cried and cheered all at the same time reading this. I had to read this in bite-sized pieces.

Thank you Netgalley, NYU Press for providing me the ARC of this book. To Mary Frances Phillips, thank you for writing this book.

I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.

[waithaileyreadwhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a league of its own, this book is the first biography written about a Black Panther woman. Phillips does an incredible job of chronicling Huggins’ life, choices, and spiritual wellness practices. Written by a true historian, this book is missing some of the wit and engaging storytelling from associated autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown, yet it does not diminish its impact. Wonderfully written and terrifically insightful. Grateful for Huggins’ story to enter the archive.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a painful gift to recognize the struggle has been exposed so long ago and still remains. WE Have to keep working to educate our people to liberate themselves 🖤
As a fellow educator trained in restorative justice, I am moved to employ more spiritual work to restore harm versus physcial or emotional consequences.

[Marissa Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

an insightful and important contribution on one of the foremost women and leaders of the Black Panther Party—Philips’s work on Huggins, particularly around spiritual wellness in the Black revolutionary struggle will be a touchstone for scholars and activists to come.

[Isaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read a full review check it out here.

This will likely be the most important book I will read this year.

[Theodore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ericka Huggins is the living embodiment of the resilience that grows in creativity and community and refusing to lose hope in each of these. She allowed things that should've hardened her to instead soften her edges and let new love in. we should all hope to be more like her.

[Mikala · Rating 4 out of 5]

The phrase "bad-ass woman" is redundant, though I will say, this series on the BP women is next level!
Personally, I would have preferred a bit more sub-text and personal stories. I assume the authors and editors have kept these books intentionally fact-based and a tad boring because of prevalent biases towards women, black women, etc.
This biography weaves a powerful story of Huggins' life incorporating relevant details from her personal and professional life as leader of the BP as well as significant events happening around the world and the larger context.

[Victoria I · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account and history of wellness practices within Black Panther Women. I love that even in Huggins’ most out of control circumstances of being incarcerated while innocent, she was continuously advocating for herself and her fellow incarcerated comrades. Her level of dedication to uplifting others is extremely admirable. The reporting and mix of acquired official documents, personal and oral accounts, and research was great.

Not sure if it’s because I did the audiobook but the text was a bit too academic for my taste, especially at the beginning. It still managed to be very approachable though.