Maria Firmina dos Reis
Maria Firmina dos Reis was a Brazilian abolitionist and author. Her novel rsula was a depiction of life for AfroBrazilians under slavery.
Maria Firmina dos Reis was born in So Lus, Maranho. At age five, her mother and relatives moved to Viamo where she attended school. In 1847, due to outstanding performance, she won a scholarship for further studies at the level of cadeira de primeiras letras that prepared her to be a teacher. She maintained the profession until her retirement in 1881. At the age of fiftyfive, she founded a school for poor children.
Source: Wikipedia