"Mãe dos pobres de Itabaiana" : na rainha do Vale do Paraíba, Dona Dida se projeta como liderança em temas sociais

Abstract

This dissertation explores the political and social trajectory of Eurídice Moreira da Silva, popularly known as Dona Dida, a prominent female leader from the city of Itabaiana, in the interior of Paraíba, Brazil. The research analyzes how Dona Dida constructed her image as the “Mother of the Poor”, positioning herself as a defender of social causes and gaining access to spaces of power within a political environment historically dominated by men. Adopting an approach that integrates social, political, and cultural history, the study draws on a variety of sources, including official documents, photographs, interviews, newspapers, and memoirs. It engages with theoretical concepts such as symbolic power, political representation, invented traditions, and collective memory, drawing on scholars such as Pierre Bourdieu, Eric Hobsbawm, E.P. Thompson, and Roger Chartier. The city of Itabaiana is presented as a stage for political and social disputes, revealing tensions between tradition and modernity, as well as between male dominance and the growing participation of women in local politics. The dissertation also examines Dona Dida’s struggles throughout her career, including her electoral victories and defeats, as well as episodes of resistance that shaped her political path. By investigating the construction of her leadership and the strategies she employed to establish herself as a prominent figure, this research contributes to broader debates on gender, political culture, and political memory, bringing to light the story of a woman who broke barriers and redefined the role of women in Paraíba's political sphere.