A woman like many others, but with an exceptional story: Marielle and the favela Maré
I met Marielle 10 years ago, when she was working with the Commission for Human Rights in the Legislative Assembly of the state of Rio de Janeiro, alongside Marcelo Freixo. We met through friends in common, that also worked in the area of human rights. I’m a professor of Sociology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Marielle was a sociologist much like myself.
She had a keen academic interest, and for those reasons she frequently attended my courses and investigative meetings. However, we were not just academic colleagues. We also became very close friends throughout those years. Marielle is a seed. Her legacy is an inspiration for all of us, and for those reasons women all over Brazil shout “fight like Marielle!”.
In fact, after her death, thousands of Brazilians and people all over the world have gotten to know and love Marielle. Those who had the fortune of knowing her in flesh and blood know the power she held in her smile and her eyes, always open and always transmitting warmth.
