Country of Origin: Brazil

Main focus: Rights and Recognition of Black Women in Brazilian Politics

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Laís de Souza is a journalist and activist who campaigns for the rights and recognition of black women in Brazilian politics.

Laís was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1981. She first encountered the harsh reality of inequality in Brazilian society when she was just nine years old when she was approached in a fast-food restaurant by a young homeless boy begging for a sandwich.

Shaken by the idea that no one, especially no child, should have to beg for such an essential thing as food, Laís became interested in making a difference in her society.

Following in her parents' footsteps, Laís began volunteering when she was 13. The most remarkable volunteer experience was teaching writing and literature to underprivileged children in preparation for University entrance exams.

In 2002 Laís had her first encounter with bigotry. As the only black person and one of the few poorer students in her class, she experienced racism and discrimination.

However, Laís' activism truly caught its stride in 2015 and 2016. At this time, Brazil's first woman president, Dilma Rousseff, was under attack and eventually, controversially, impeached by her conservative opponents. Laís supported President Rousseff in discussion groups and street demonstrations.

Also, in 2016, Marielle Franco, a charismatic and groundbreaking black woman activist for progressive causes, was elected to the Rio city council.

However, Marielle Franco was assassinated on March 14, 2018. Her killer has never been found, though supporters of Franco believe that political opponents murdered her.

Laís came to Canada in 2016 to pursue a master's degree in Feminist and Gender Studies.

Since Jair Bolsonaro, a nativist conservative politician, was elected president of Brazil in 2018, Laís has stepped up her activism. She raises money for the Marielle Franco Institute, campaigns for black women in Brazilian politics, and raises awareness of Franco's legacy.