Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party

by Stephen Shames (Photographer), Ericka Huggins (Contributor)

Many of us have heard these three words: Black Panther Party. Some know the Party’s history as a movement for the social, political, economic and spiritual upliftment of Black and indigenous people of color – but to this day, few know the story of the backbone of the Party: the women.

It’s estimated that six out of ten Panther Party members were women. While these remarkable women of all ages and diverse backgrounds were regularly making headlines agitating, protesting, and organizing, off-stage these same women were building communities and enacting social justice, providing food, housing, education, healthcare, and more. Comrade Sisters is their story.

The book combines photos by Stephen Shames, who at the time was a 20-year-old college student at Berkeley. With the complete trust of the Black Panther Party, Shames took intimate, behind-the-scenes photographs that fully portrayed Party members’ lives. This marks his third photo book about the Black Panthers and includes many never before published images.

Ericka Huggins, an early Party member and leader along with Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, has written a moving text, sharing what drew so many women to the Party and focusing on their monumental work on behalf of the most vulnerable citizens. Most importantly, the book includes contributions from over 50 former women members – some well-known, others not – who vividly recall their personal experiences from that time. Other texts include a foreword by Angela Davis and an afterword by Alicia Garza. All Power to the People.

Stephen Shames has authored over 10 monographs, and his images are in the permanent collections of 40 museums and foundations. His work is dedicated to promoting social change, and sharing the stories of those who are frequently overlooked by society. His previous monographs include Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers by Stephen Shames and Bobby Seale (Abrams, 2016) and The Black Panthers (Aperture, 2006).

As an activist, former political prisoner and leader in the Black Panther Party, Ericka Huggins has devoted her life to the equitable treatment of all human beings, beyond the boundaries of race, age, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability and status associated with citizenship. For the past 40 years she has lectured across the country and internationally. She spent 14 years in the Black Panther Party, and eight years as Director of the renowned Oakland Community School (1973-1981).

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Photography, Feminism, Politics, Coffee Table Books, Social Justice

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2022

Reviews

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

banger

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening must read with powerful images.

[Emaleigh Nichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those coffee table books that is more than a coffee table book.
This is a history of the Women of the Black Panther Party. The photographs are organic and hold such beauty. These women are from all over the world. They are relented. They are resilient. They are the movement.

[Gabby McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't accurately rate this book because it just wasn't what I was looking for — that shouldn't affect how I rate it. I was hoping for more narrative storytelling that was cannon, but this is a textbook. It reads more like a museum exhibit in book form.

[Rebecca Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know 2/3 of the Black Panthers were women? This is a collection of beautiful photos with notes and reflections from everyday women of the Black Panther Party. Includes women running testing centers for sickle cell, teaching classes, taking care of babies at rallies, running food drives, making art.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about the BPP, it's offshoots in other nations, and the work done within them. I had this notion that the BPP was misogynist, and in some ways it was, but the BPP consisted of more than 60% women and they often stuck up for feminist values within their chapters. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about community resource distribution & social justice work.

[Natalie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The women of the Black Panther Party displayed through personal recollections, usually a page long. Many beautiful black and white photos. Well organized and memorable. Makes me wonder about our current communities and what more can be done. All their programs and sense of community can't help but give you ideas.

[Sue Chant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5. Nice visual history of women of the Black Panther party in the 1960's & 70's, with memoirs highlighting the community programmes they instigated and worked in, as well as protests and campaigns.

[Lauren Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The historical content alone is wonderful, but the pictures are icing on the cake. Black Beauty (inside and out) at its finest. This is a must read for anyone interested in the Black Panther Party.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of what people working together towards the good of humankind can do.

Do unto others and also take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I LOVE the pictures. And I love Black women✊🏽

[taviana woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good overview of the bpp, felt like a learned more about the movement on a wider scale by learning about all the work different women did and blackness intersects with feminist ideology and storytelling throughout the photo book