Inspiring women everyone should know

The world is full of inspiring women, in the most diverse areas of activity. With each passing day, women conquer more spaces and claim their right to change beauty standards and models of behavior, as well as reinvent the way of interpreting life, from a more plural female perspective. We, from Dicas de Mulher, indicate fantastic women for you, not because it’s March 8, but because we believe in everything a woman can be and conquer!

Estela Lacerda nominates Maria Firmina dos Reis

“The slave is seen by everyone as a victim – and he is” – Excerpt from the short story A Escrava

Maria Firmina dos Reis was the first novelist in Brazil. A poor woman, northeast and abolitionist. Although she has written and published a novel, in a serial format, at a time when the literary world was totally led by men, we hear little about her, whether in schools, events or classes in the area of ​​Letters.

Her book Úrsula, published in 1859, is a milestone in the history of women because it helped to open doors for us. However, it is worth mentioning that the author for a long time had to write under the pseudonym “Uma Maranhense”. In addition to this work, she published the novel Guapeva, between 1861 and 1862, the poems of Contos à Beira Mar, in 1871, and contributed to newspapers and magazines.

The writer was also a teacher. She founded the first mixed school, that is, attended by boys and girls, and free of charge, which guaranteed access to formal education for people who, like her, had simple origins. The machismo and prejudice of the time took on such great proportions that the institution lasted only three years. In the abolitionist struggle, she also fought many conflicts, and literature was her most potent tool. Rescue and read Maria Firmina dos Reis!

Bruna Soder indicates Hwasa

“Everyone worked hard hating me. If you destroy me, will you win a prize?” – Excerpt from the song Maria

Ahn Hyejin, better known by her stage name Hwasa, is a South Korean singer, member of the kpop group Mamamoo. In 2019, Hwasa spoke openly on a show about an episode where she was harshly reprimanded by an instructor at an audition, saying that because of her weight and appearance, the singer would never succeed. Fortunately, after the harsh words, Hwasa reflected and came to a conclusion: “if I don’t fit the current beauty standards, I will set my own standards”.

Over time, she continued to receive criticism that so many other women receive on a daily basis, such as for her clothes or her appearance without makeup. But her strong positioning as an artist, including empowered phrases in her songs, allows other women to open up to Korean stereotypes and break the barrier of aesthetic standards, even if little by little. Today, Hwasa inspires young people and adults around the world to be themselves, wearing and doing what makes them happy and pushing themselves to take their places with independence and freedom.

Andressa Oliveira nominates Michaela Coel

“I was formed in an amazing and wonderful way” – excerpt from the poem Beautiful written by Michaela Coel

Plural and singular, this is Michaela Coel. Of African origin, she moved to the UK as a child and became known for her comedy series Chewing Gum. The actress, screenwriter, singer, songwriter and poet draws on her own experiences to tell stories. And that’s how she turned sexual abuse trauma into her new series, I May Destroy You, on HBO.

Irreverent and daring, Michaela questions and resignifies her own pain. In a unique way, she tells a reality so frighteningly common to many women, including her. And with sensitivity and lightness she demonstrates all the strength needed to understand the situation and overcome it. She also shows us how important it is to talk about the topic and not shut up in the face of abuse situations. Also, Michaela, is not afraid to be truthful and laugh at herself.

Vanessa Fenelon nominates Leticia Wierzchowski

“Logic and magic together unravel life like a ball of yarn.” – Excerpt from The hill of rain and mist

Letícia Wierzchowski is a writer and screenwriter from Rio Grande do Sul, born in 1972 in Porto Alegre, the city where she still lives. In 1998, he published his first novel, “The Angel and the Rest of Us”, but his greatest literary success was “The house of the seven women”, in 2002. The book was even adapted into a miniseries and shown by Rede Globo on next year.

My first contact with Leticia’s writing was through reading the short story “O morro da rain e da bruma”, published in the book “25 women who are making the new Brazilian literature”, edited by Luiz Ruffato. It is a beautiful, sensitive and mystical story about life and its doses of (un)certainty. I highly recommend everyone to read it!

To read her work is to immerse yourself in an intuitive, contagious writing with touches of fantastic realism (in addition to, of course, supporting the work of a professional of great relevance to contemporary literature). You can check out more about Letícia and her works by following the author’s social media:

Mabe Guilhermetti nominates Tati Bernardi

“I’m pretty, but I’m tired.”

Tati Bernardi, 41, is a Brazilian writer, screenwriter and podcaster. Her books are a mixture of autobiography and fiction and full of the acid humor that the author has. Since 2018, she presents, alongside Camila Fremder and Hellen Ramos, the podcast Calcinha Larga. Now, also presenting her own podcast on psychoanalysis produced by Folha de São Paulo, Meu Inconsciente Coletivo, Tati opens up about the anxieties of an anxious and extremely creative person who accompany her through life while talking to guest psychoanalysts.

Years ago, at the time when young people still used Tumblr, I remember seeing several phrases signed by Tati Bernardi circulating on the social network, but I never paid attention. Now, in my semi-adult life and avid for entertainment that is about people like us, I ended up bumping into the author while looking for podcasts on Spotify. After I started following Calcinha Larga, I immediately identified with the author and never let go.

Ana Ribeiro nominates Lélia Gonzalez

Lélia’s Black Feminism

Lélia Gonzalez was a great Brazilian activist and anthropologist, co-founder of the Instituto de Pesquisas das Culturas Negras in Rio de Janeiro, the Movimento Negro Unificado and Olodum. In addition, she was a pioneer in several studies on politics, philosophy and an assiduous researcher of black culture in Brazil.

She is much studied and constantly remembered when it comes to black and Latin American feminism for being the first black Brazilian woman to leave Brazil to discuss the conditions of her place of speech with intellectuals, a feat that resulted in her critical work Por um Feminismo. Afro-Latin American, in which the author discusses anti-racist and anti-capitalist feminism.

The icon of American black feminism, Angela Davis, on a visit to Brazil in 2019, asked the following question: “why do you need to look for a reference in the United States? I learn more from Lélia Gonzalez than you do from me”. Such a comment makes us think about the importance of associating our struggles and our movements with the reality and society in which we live and, more than that, it reminds us to value our culture. You can learn more about Lélia through the Lélia Gonzalez Vive project:

Naomi Tanaka nominates Ana Hikari

Ana Hikari is a Brazilian actress and became known for her character Tina, in “Malhação: Viva a Diferencia”. With her work and dedication, the 26-year-old Sagittarius was the first actress of Asian descent to star in a soap opera on Rede Globo. In addition, the young woman was chosen to be on the 2020 Forbes Under 30 list. She uses the reach of her social networks to open important debates such as racism, abusive relationships and sexuality. Also, Ana Hikari has Japanese, African and indigenous ancestry. Therefore, in her networks, she addresses her experiences as a racialized woman in Brazil. In addition to taking advantage of the proximity to his followers to debate and inform about racism with yellow people.

I started following Ana’s work on Instagram as a way to feel represented in what I consumed. It was great to be able to watch a very popular production like Malhação and see that the Asian actress was among the protagonists and not as a supporting actor and reinforcing stereotypes. As it is a recent topic of discussion in Brazil, many people do not know what racism is with yellow people. But I’m happy to see a person like Ana being able to talk about it to a large number of people. I recommend getting to know the actress’ work on social media to stay on top of this subject.

Madu Carneiro indicates Lua Menezes

Owner of the Lasciva Lua profile and the Jardim das Delícias course, Lua Menezes is a sex therapist, writer and creates wonderful content about female sexuality and self-knowledge, or as she describes herself: “I help you discover the delight of being you”. What I most admire in the work of this goddess is her dedication so that more and more women realize the powers of their bodies and enjoy life with pleasure.

With the Moon, I learn to enjoy life, seeing the difficulties and beauties of the way, learning to establish my limits, taking more and more care of myself and being proud of the woman I am.

For these and many others, I never get tired of preaching Lasciva’s words to my friends and all the people who live with me and, you can wait, because after you meet her, you will also be delighted!