Racism, Sexism,Sexual Assault, and Women's Rights: The case of Joan Little, Sexual Assault Survivor Convicted of Murdering Prison Guard in NC

[Women in Prison] Rare archive of four original silver gelatin press release photographs of Joan Little during her arrest for killing the prison bodyguard who attempted to sexually assault her. Each measure 8" x 10" and have original articles printed on the margins. Each are date stamped en verso. In 1974, Little was arrested and charged with first degree murder after stabbing white prison guard, Clarence Alligood, in Beaufort County Jail, NC. Her case became noted in history for the first woman becoming acquitted for using deadly force in defense of sexual assault. Her controversial case brought support from, and lead groundwork to, the civil rights movement, the feminist movement, and the anti-death penalty movement. This archive of press releases shows Joan throughout her trial from February to December of 1975. The first image shows Joan being supported by her mother and friends as she bursts into tears upon being freed on bonds and awaiting trial. It states that The Southern Poverty Law Center Inc., of Montgomery, AL, raised $100,000 of the $115,000 bond. Another photo shows Joan arriving at the third week of her trial with her bodyguard following closely behind. Two photographs show Little after her case appeal for first degree murder as she's released on bond awaiting the court to review her original case of breaking and entering and larceny. In the first image, Joan is shown with her mother walking behind, the women are dressed in day dresses and coats, both with a smile on their faces. With Joan's case being supported by multiple civil rights groups, their support overlapped due to the connections between racism, sexism, sexual assault, women's rights, and, particularly, the double bind that African American women have to deal with within the prison industrial complex. Minor edge wear, one photo has a brown stain on the front. Overall very good condition.