The Department of African American Studies is thrilled to celebrate Professor Mary Phillips, whose groundbreaking book Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins has been recognized as one of the Best Black Political Thought Books of 2025 by Essence Magazine and the African American Intellectual History Society (AAIHS). This prestigious honor highlights the book’s profound impact on conversations about race, gender, motherhood, mass incarceration, and activism in today’s world.
A brief description of the book: The first biography of Ericka Huggins, a queer Black woman who brought spiritual self-care practices to the Black Panther Party. Transcending the traditional male-centric study of the Black Panther Party, Black Panther Woman offers an innovative analysis of Black political life at the intersections of gender, motherhood, and mass incarceration. This book serves as an invaluable toolkit for contemporary activists, underscoring the power of radical acts of care as well as vital strategies to thrive in the world.
AAIHS praised the authors for their work in contributing to advancing “varied historical perspectives on the Black experience in the U.S.” Read both the Essence and AAIHS articles for more details.