Fay Stender

Fay Abrahams Stender (March 29, 1932 – May 19, 1980) was an American lawyer from the San Francisco Bay Area, and a prisoner rights activist. Some of her better-known clients included Black Panther leader Huey Newton, the Soledad Brothers and Black Guerrilla Family founder George Jackson.

Soledad Brothers and George Jackson

After Stender edited and arranged for Jackson's prison letters to be published as Soledad Brothers, he became an international celebrity.[1] She persuaded French intellectual Jean Genet to write an introduction, propelling it to a best seller.[2] The substantial proceeds from the book went to a legal defense fund that she set up. Stender eventually had a falling out with Jackson over his repeated requests that she smuggle weapons and explosives into the prison.[3][4]

Death and legacy

In 1979, she was shot five times by recently paroled Black Guerrilla Family member Edward Glenn Brooks for what Brooks said was Stender’s betrayal of George Jackson. Brooks forced Stender to state: "I, Fay Stender, admit I betrayed George Jackson and the prison movement when they needed me most" just before he shot her.[4] Stender was left paralyzed below the waist and in constant pain by the assault and committed suicide in Hong Kong shortly after.[3]

The California Women Lawyers Association has an award dedicated to her memory.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Horowitz, Davis (November 10, 2006). "The Political Is Personal". Front Page Magazine. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  2. ↑ H Bruce Franklin. Prison writing in 20th-century America
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 David Horowitz and Peter Collier. ”Requiem for a Radical”. New West magazine. 1981
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Diana E. H. Russell. "Fay Stender and the Politics of Murder". On The Issues. 1991.
  5. ↑ Fay Stender Award