Two of
Brazil’s most accomplished women, singer
Daniela Mercury and President Dilma Rousseff, were in Manaus last week to launch an anti-cancer advocacy campaign.
Both women personify much about
Brazilian exceptionalism, by their embodiment of its past and optimism they share for the emerging global giant’s future. Mercury works tirelessly on various causes from her Sol da Liberdade to UNICEF, yet somehow found time to attend the anti-cancer event between Salvador’s Carnaval and speaking at the International
Sustainability Forum in Manaus. Rousseff, once a political activist who was jailed and tortured during Brazil’s military-led regime, has the task of leading Brazil after one of the country’s most popular presidents was termed out of office. While Mercury represents the best of contemporary Brazilian culture with a deep respect for the country’s diversity, Rousseff is poised to lead Brazil through another dynamic decade.
DM, DR, and cancer survivors & activists (Photo Credit-Roberto Stuckert Filho)
With the launch of the Program for Strengthening the Network for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cervical and Breast Cancer, both women lead the fight against the two diseases that cause the most deaths among Brazilian women.
Here in the US, Hubert Humphrey once stated that the greatest strength of a nation was how well it took care of the least fortunate. Brazil has had huge gaps between its poorest and wealthiest for decades, but since 2002 millions of Brazilians have been lifted out of poverty. A healthy nation is one full of engaged, productive people, and programs like those advocated by Mercury and Rousseff will lay the foundation for a country that will surprise many in the coming years.
No matter what you think of Mercury’s music or Rousseff’s politics, both are great models for Brazilian women--and men. To that end, many of us outside of Brazil could take some cues, too.
