In celebration of International Women’s Month, the Embassy and Consulates of the United States in Brazil announce the six Brazilian women who have been honored with the 2024 Brazilian Women Making a Difference Award. These women have stood out in their communities, demonstrating boldness and pioneering spirit in various causes, reflecting the experience, strength, and creativity that drive them to transform the country.
“This award is a testament to the impact that these remarkable women have on their communities,” emphasized U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley. “Each of them demonstrates an unwavering commitment to promoting positive change and advancing crucial issues such as environmental rights, inclusion, and indigenous rights.”
The winners are engaged in various fronts, ranging from environmental rights to civic engagement, as well as advancing the inclusion and rights of indigenous communities, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other historically underrepresented groups.
Meet the honorees:
Sandra Pereira Braga, National Coordinator of Quilombola Communities (CONAQ)
Sandra is a rural farmer, leader of the Coalition for Black Human Rights, a member of the Collective of Black Women of CONAQ, and an activist for the black feminist quilombola cause and environmental rights. Sandra leads and belongs to the Quilombo Mesquita, in the state of Goiás.
Female Fire Brigade, represented by Brigadistas Xerente
The women of the Xerente people formed the first exclusively female indigenous volunteer brigade with the aim of contributing to firefighting efforts, environmental education, and reforestation projects.
Joana Carolina Pereira Lins, Judge of the Federal Tribunal of Appeals, of the Fifth Regional Federal Court
Joana Carolina Lins Pereira is a judge at the Federal Regional Court of the 5th Region, in Recife, Pernambuco. In October 2022, she made history by becoming the first career federal judge promoted to this level by merit in the 5th circuit of federal courts (TRF 5). She was president of the Judicial Academy of TRF 5, which covers six states in northeastern Brazil.
Barbara Penna, activist against domestic violence and survivor
Barbara is a survivor and activist for the end of domestic violence. She was a victim of an attempted femicide when she suffered burns and was thrown from the 3rd floor of a building by her ex-partner, who also killed her two children. Currently, Barbara fights for the protection of victims of domestic violence and helped create a law that prevents perpetrators of domestic violence from serving their prison sentences in the same state of residence as the victim, ensuring greater safety.
Renata Montenegro, Police Delegate of the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro
Renata Montenegro is the head of the Asset Recovery Office of the General Delegation for Combating Corruption, Organized Crime, and Money Laundering of the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro. She led an investigation that seized over R$ 40 million from a criminal organization in Rio.
Dani Junco, founder and CEO of B2Mamy
CEO and founder of B2Mamy, a Brazilian accelerator for mothers, Dani Junco holds a degree in marketing from Fundação Getulio Vargas and has experience in pharmaceutical marketing. She started her accelerator for mothers in 2016 as a new mother who found it difficult to return to the office to work. Seven years later, Casa B2Mamy is an open co-working space in downtown São Paulo with networking events that discuss difficult topics faced by parents.