Joseph Olivia

The Forgotten Members of the Black Panther Party: The Gender Politics and Women Leaders of the Black Panthers

Abstract:

Unknown to many Americans, women played an essential role in the Black Panther Party. This fact is unknown because of the way the national newspapers and magazines framed the Panthers as male dominated. Women were responsible for setting up many of its Survival Program which assisted the Oakland community. This project discusses both the progressive gender politics within the Panthers and specifically the roles of Elaine Brown and Ericka Huggins within the Black Panther Party. These two women embodied the strength of the black power movement and feminism; all while becoming prominent figures within the Panthers organization.

Thesis Advisor:  F. Forts