The Original Bond Girl
The Hannah Bond Story
Shortly before the Civil War, a mixed-race slave girl escaped her North Carolina captors by donning men’s clothing and fleeing to New York through the Underground Railroad. The fictionalized, autobiographical account of her life as a fugitive slave is told in The Bondwoman’s Narrative. She uses the pen name Hannah Crafts to write the narrative. However, thanks to the research of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., a Harvard University professor of African-American literature and history and Gregg Hecimovich a professor at Winthrop University, the true author of the manuscript is revealed to be Hannah Bond.
Hannah Bond knew that learning to read was punishable by death. She may have been afraid, but fear did not stop her from taking her first flight to freedom by learning to read and write.
Her second flight to freedom is told in The Bondwoman’s Narrative written in the mid-1850s. The work is the only known book written by a fugitive slave woman and most likely the first novel ever written by an African American woman.
Today, Bond Girl|Books stands on the shoulders of Hannah Bond.
Bond Girl|Books is a community of readers who meet online and in real life to share the love of reading.
Our Mission
BondGirl Books is dedicated to empowering under-resourced communities with the power of books. Our mission will be accomplished through monthly virtual book clubs, national book giveaways and indy author publishing workshops.
Our Board
Dorothy Humphrey Bass
For over 30 years, Dorothy has been an advocate for families and children in underserved communities. As the Executive Director of the Talbot County Family Connection, she has focused on improving the academic and economic opportunities available to residents of rural communities. In 2014, she was named one of the most influential leaders in rural Georgia. As Director of Operations at Bass Public Affairs, Dorothy plans and monitors the day-to-day running of the business to ensure smooth progress. She also counsels the firm’s messaging related to education reform, financial literacy and health care disparities.
Tanisha Watson
Tanisha Watson has over 15 years of experience in planning and executing events for clients in the DC Metropolitan area, across the United States and internationally. At Bass Public Affairs, Tanisha brings her expertise in assisting Bass Public Affairs and its clients on numerous events. Tanisha also serves on the Board of Directors for Bond Girl Books, a community of readers who meet online and in real life to share the love of reading.
Pat Ware
Pat Ware brings a diverse background to the Bass Publics Affairs team which includes political appointees by two Presidential Administrations and consulting in four other Presidential Administrations. Pat’s networking and relationship building in the areas of media and entertainment, health advocacy and community revitalization have been vital to all of our clients.