Benedita Da Silva Essay

As a 73-year-old woman, Benedita da Silva, an Afro-Brazilian woman is one with many accomplishments. Da Silva has lived through extreme poverty conditions in the slums of Brazil and still actively living there today. She has a political career, and is a community leader fighting for underprivileged and poor people. She always had dreams of it being were “ ‘human relationship take precedence over material things;’ a society that recognizes the worth of her neighbors in the Favelas.” (Gilmore 1)This report is based on da Silva’s life, political career, and changes she has made along her lifetime to help mold minds for the better, and create different outcomes for the people, especially those without a voice.

Benedita da Silva was born
This Afro-Brazilian woman at one point didn’t have the right to vote, so she knew she had to be a part of making change. In 1982 Benedita began her political career by being elected city councilor of Rio de Janeiro. (Mayer 3)She wanted to improve conditions for her people and help change the face of Brazil. Da Silva wanted more, so she continued in 1986 fighting to make amendments on racial crimes in the Brazilian Constitution. She was elected Senate 1994 and Vice-Governor of Rio de Janeiro in 1998. Not giving up, in 2002 she continued being governor, but left in 2003 for the position of Minister of the Social Action until 2004. (Blog 3) Today she is an advocate of women’s rights in Brazil and around the world. Today Benedita da Silva is one of the greatest black hero’s of our time. She has stood up for discrimination always continued to fight for gender equality, social and racial issues. Knowing the struggle that still hinders the world today, Benedita uses it to give her strength and keep her active in making even more change. Overcoming many different barriers by becoming the first female and black governor of Rio de Janeiro. In her career and life, Da Silva’s is an important for minorities and racial growth in Latin America