Ana Maria Gonçalves Becomes First Black Woman at Brazil’s Academy of Letters

Overview

• Gonçalves formally took seat 33 in a Nov. 7 ceremony at the Petit Trianon, received by Lilia Schwarcz, with the academic collar from Ana Maria Machado and the diploma from Gilberto Gil.
• She wore a fardão made by artisans from the Portela samba school, the first time a samba school produced the ceremonial attire for an ABL member.
• In her speech, she questioned the 128-year wait for a Black woman to enter the Academy, cited past exclusions, saluted Conceição Evaristo’s 2018 campaign, and said she hopes to open doors for others.
• The author of Um defeito de cor, which inspired Portela’s 2024 Carnival parade and boosted the book’s visibility, succeeds linguist Evanildo Bechara and is the 13th woman and youngest among current members at 54.
• After the ceremony, guests attended a seated dinner for about 300 with an African menu and a musical cortejo through central Rio.