Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party

Comrade Sisters is a new photobook that celebrates the crucial but often overlooked role played by women in the Black Panther party. The book combines intimate, behind-the-scenes photographs by Stephen Shames with testimonies from surviving members and their kin. It highlights the women's off-stage work building communities and enacting social justice, providing food, housing, education, healthcare, and more. The book includes contributions from over 50 former women members and a foreword by Angela Davis and an afterword by Alicia Garza.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2022
Publisher: ACC Art Books

Comrade Sisters is a captivating new photobook that sheds light on the often overlooked and crucial role played by women in the Black Panther Party (BPP). The book, authored by Ericka Huggins and published by Verso Books, combines intimate portraits and documentary photographs with powerful testimonies from surviving members and their kin.

The BPP was a movement that encompassed social, political, economic, and spiritual aspects, with a significant presence of women. It is estimated that six out of ten Panther Party members were women, who played a vital role in the organization's activities. While these women were actively agitating, protesting, and organizing on the front lines, they were also building communities and enacting social justice. They provided essential services such as food, housing, education, healthcare, and more to the most vulnerable citizens.

Comrade Sisters tells the story of these remarkable women, who came from diverse backgrounds and ages. The book features photographs taken by Stephen Shames, a 20-year-old college student at Berkeley, with the complete trust and support of the BPP. Shames captured intimate, behind-the-scenes images that vividly portray the lives of Party members, providing a unique perspective on their experiences.

The text by Ericka Huggins, an early Party member and leader alongside Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, adds depth and insight to the story. Huggins reflects on what drew so many women to the BPP and highlights their monumental work on behalf of the community. She emphasizes the importance of gender equality and social justice, and how the BPP played a pivotal role in advancing these causes.

Comrade Sisters is a powerful and eye-opening book that offers a fresh perspective on the history of the BPP. It reminds us of the significant contributions made by women in movements for social change and highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality and social justice. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, activism, and the fight for a more equitable society.

Weight: 1452g
Dimension: 248 x 294 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788841757