Comrade Sisters

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).

"A new photobook recalls the crucial but often overlooked role played by women in the Black Panther party."

"But the Panthers were not simply a militia. They became a political party that emphasised black pride, community control and unification for civil rights."

"This beautifully-produced book is a visual and written record of the contribution of the women of the Black Panther Party... I guarantee this book will give you new respect for a generation of women militants."

"Comrade Sisters pairs Stephen’s intimate, incisive, and inspiring portraits and documentary photographs with testimonies from many surviving members and their kin."

"A stunning collection of historical photographs and contemporary conversations with female members of the Black Panther Party, this coffee-table book is destined to stir up conversation about race, politics and the ongoing journey of female empowerment in the fight for Black freedom."

"This is an important and comprehensive work of documentation."

Stephen Sackur is in Oakland, California speaks to Ericka Huggins, an original member of the 1960s Black Panther Party who experienced violence, imprisonment and vilification in the controversial campaign for black power.

"Historically illuminating photos of women Black Panthers."

"Rather, it’s about listening to those on the ground to learn what a community needs and wants, then working from the bottom up to make that a reality."

"Shames spent seven years taking pictures of the Black Panther Party and was one of the few outside photographers given access to its inner workings."

"This collection, from ACC Art Books, honors their legacy by weaving Huggins’s reflections on her fellow “comrade sisters” together with photographer Stephen Shames’s black-and-white shots of the Black Panther Party’s activities."

"Comrade Sister: Women in the Black Panther Party (ACC Art Books, 2022) shows rarely seen images of the women that were the backbone of the party."

"Meanwhile, Party leader Ericka Huggins narrates the history of women in the organization in Comrade Sisters, which pairs her reflections with Stephen Shames’s introspective photos."