Photo: Book Cover
The authors of ‘Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party’ will be coming to Washington, D.C. from January 31 to February 1.
Authors Ericka Huggins and Stephen Shames will be present. Special guests will be former Black Panther women Lynn French, Cheryl Dawson, and Hazel Mack-Hilliard.
Tuesday, January 31, 7pm
Smithsonian National Museum of African American Art & Culture
Panel Discussion and Book Signing with co-authors Ericka Huggins and Stephen Shames and Special Guests.
1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
Concourse: Oprah Winfrey Theater + streaming
For more information, go here.
Wednesday, February 1, 6pm
Howard University School of Social Work
in collaboration with Sankofa Video Books & Cafe
Panel Discussion and Book Signing with co-authors Ericka Huggins and Stephen Shames and Special Guests.
601 Howard Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20059
For more information https://www.sankofa.com/events/comrade-sisters-women-of-the-black-panther-party-panel-discussion-featuring-ericka-huggins-and-guests
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, these same women were building communities and enacting social justice, providing food, housing, education, healthcare, and more to the people. Comrade Sisters is their story.
Interwoven throughout the book are 110 photographs by celebrated photojournalist Stephen Shames who was a 19-year-old college student at Berkeley when he first met the BPP in 1966. With the backing of the co-founders of the Black Panther Party, Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, Stephen was given unprecedented access to take photographs not only of the protests and rallies, but also behind-the-scenes moments that provide a more nuanced portrait of the women Party members with their families and serving their communities. This marks Stephen’s third book about the Black Panthers and includes many never before published images of the women of the BPP.
About the Authors:
Ericka Huggins is an activist, former political prisoner, and leader in the Black Panther Party. She 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).
Stephen Shames has authored 15 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 two previous Panther books are Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers by Stephen Shames and Bobby Seale (Abrams, 2016) and The Black Panthers (Aperture, 2006).
About the Publisher:
Founded over 50 years ago in the UK, ACC Art Books is both a publisher and a global distributor of books on all aspects of the arts, including fine art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, food, contemporary lifestyle, and popular culture. The company represents some of the world’s finest arts publishers, including museums, trade, and professional, providing clients with a comprehensive program of sales, marketing, and fulfillment services. ACC Art Books has offices in Woodbridge, England, and in New York City. For more information https://www.accartbooks.com/uk/
