Benedita da Silva

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Miro Teixeira (left side) and Benedita da Silva (right side)

Benedita Souza da Silva Sampaio, (born in Rio de Janeiro, April 26, 1942-) is a Afro-Brazilian politician. During her life she faced a lot of prejudice for her humble origin, but she overcame the adversities and was Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro and, later, Minister of State in the Government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

[edit] Origin

She grew up in the Favela of Morro do Chapéu Mangueira. She was faced with the obstacle of the good appearance - (not being white) and evident lack of formal education.

After learning to read and to write, started to work with the community school of the Chapéu Mangueira favela. She established a women's association in the favela where she lived and, later, the feminine department of the Favela Associations' Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Besides it, she found time to work as nursing aide and to complete the course of Social Studies.

[edit] Political Career

1982 - She was elected city councilor of Rio de Janeiro for the Worker's Party.
1986 - Elected to the National Congress, she fought to insert emendations to the Constitution of the country on racial crimes, 120 days maternity leave, prohibition of difference of wages and right of the prison inmates to suckle their children.
1994 - She was elected for the Senate, becoming the first female senator in Brazil.
1998 - She became Vice-Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro on the Anthony Garotinho ticket.
2002 - With Governor Anthony Garotinho resigning to run for the President, she assumes the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, becoming the first woman to occupy the office.
2003 - Leaving the State government, she takes the position of Minister of the Social Action, where she remains until January 2004.
2006 - Guest, assumed the general coordination of the campaign of re-election of current president Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva in the state of Rio De Janeiro. Some periodicals speculate that, in 2008, the City hall of the City of Rio De Janeiro will be the candidate. Others, affirm that the former-governor will concur exactly for the city hall of Itaboraí (in the Region of Metropolitan of Rio De Janeiro), city in frank growth.