Wendesday Wonders: Tarika Lewis also known as Joan Lewis is recognized as the first female Black Panther Member. As a native of Oakland, she Co Founded the Black Student Union and fought for Black Studies courses. A talented Jazz Violinist, she stopped that dream to take it professionally and joined the Panther Party. She said her duty was to, “open the eyes of the people, to give them hope, courage, understanding; to teach, guide and pull the cover off what is going on and what should be done about it.” Within her first year, she rose up the ranks and became a sectional leader. Some of the men did not like a sister in control and would challenge her. She would prove them wrong every time by out shooting them at the gun range and quickly gained her respect.
