Birthday of Maria Firmina dos Reis
March 11, 1822
Sculpture of Maria Firmina dos Reis's portrait
From Black Women Radicals: "Maria Firmina dos Reis (March 11, 1822–November 11, 1917) was an Afro-Brazilian abolitionist and author. Her novel, Ursula, detailed what life was life for Afro-Brazilians during enslavement."
Her novel, Ursula is considered the first Brazilian abolitionist novel. She was also a teacher and started a free school for children who could not pay, and taught female students which was discouraged at the time. When she received her position as professor, at 22 years old, her mother wanted her to take a carriage carried by enslaved people to the ceremony, but she decided to walk, saying, "Black people are not an animal to ride upon." In Dawn Duke's book about Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian female authors, she describes dos Reis as a "vigorous opponent of slavery." She was also the adopted mother of eleven children who she called her “children of the heart.”
Her novel, Ursula is considered the first Brazilian abolitionist novel. She was also a teacher and started a free school for children who could not pay, and taught female students which was discouraged at the time. When she received her position as professor, at 22 years old, her mother wanted her to take a carriage carried by enslaved people to the ceremony, but she decided to walk, saying, "Black people are not an animal to ride upon." In Dawn Duke's book about Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian female authors, she describes dos Reis as a "vigorous opponent of slavery." She was also the adopted mother of eleven children who she called her “children of the heart.”