In the late 1960s, Bobby Seale, cofounder of the Black Panther Party, invited Stephen Shames to document the movement’s activities, making Shames the official party photographer between 1967 and 1973. Shames created hundreds of powerful images during this time, many featuring the women who comprised over 65 percent of party membership. Shames captured both the everyday lives of these women as well as the critical work they and their “comrade sisters” carried out at schools, free medical clinics, voter registration sites, community nutrition programs, and elder care centers across the country.

Gelatin silver print.

Gift of Lizbeth and George Krupp.

2023.990