While October marks the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party of Self-Defense, the history, the lessons and the impact remain with us.

…The party’s goal of protecting the Black community from state violence evolved from self-defense to numerous community programs whose models are still used today. And while the image of armed Black men monitoring the oppressor seems to be synonymous with the name, it was the organization’s women members who upheld and ensured the survival of the party. By the 70’s, women made up the majority of the party.. 

Women of the Black Panther Party | Essence.com

hmmm