/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/65/0e/650ef0c5-c647-49b1-91fa-f15cae6978cc/2012_83_6_001.jpg)
The film, “These Women Were the Unsung Heroes of the Black Panther Party”, speaks about women’s contribution to the Black Panther Party and the success behind it. While media often tends to show more male leaders in the movement, the film brings a different light into the picture as women also played a significant role in the creation, success, and expansion of the party. Elaine Brown, chairwoman of the Black Panther Party, founded several nonprofits (like the National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform) that focused on improving the justice system. Kathleen Cleaver worked as the National Communication Secretary, however, left due to the misogyny she faced within the Black Panther Party. Angela Davis was a fighter for the Black Panther Party, advocating for the abolishment of prison. These women all played a notable role in the party but still have not been credited enough for their actions. Although they fought as equally as men did, they lack in recognition for their work.
Hope , I really do like what you’ve said about this film. In particular when you mentioned Elaine Brown who was the chairwoman. Now this was a big deal at the time because I don’t think there was any woman let alone a woman of color who was given an opportunity to become a chairwoman. I agree with everything , overall great job.
It’s very disheartening to see that even in a group that is set to right the wrongs of many social injustices, it still has misogyny in it. As you mentioned, they have not been credited enough. Instead, we often see leaders in the party who are praised because they were outspoken even though they had been convicted for rape. These 3 women and all of those involved in the party, played such an important role. I definitely did not know that the party extended to touching on the topic of prison reform. Thank you for your piece, Hope.
Women’s contribution to the Black Panther Party and the success behind it was a very important role to the group. Although not much light is ever shed for female groups or activists ever this film covers the hero’s of the Black Panther party. The use of an example was very needed such as Elaine Brown.