The first samba school just for women was born in Rio de Janeiro 10 years ago. Called “Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba TPM (PMS – in English), the school has been a feminist voice with lots of music and empowerment.
In total, the school has 500 women who work daily to make everything perfect for the carnival parade. The theme for the 2024 parade is ‘A woman’s place is wherever she wants’. Does anyone have any doubts that they will rock?
Origin
Carnival in Brazil carries a very sexist heritage.
In the special group of samba schools in Rio, for example, only two schools have female presidents.
It is in this context that 10 years ago these women came together to make a revolution.
“The fight against prejudice is constant. After 10 years of lots of struggle, resistance and overcoming all types of prejudices, we decided that the time had come to fly higher, we became the first female samba school in Brazil”, said Barbara Rigaud, president of the school.
Just women
And everything is done by them.
Every function necessary to make their carnival happens is performed by the 500 women involved in the association.
The goal is to bring together more and more women and new achievements in the carnival parades.
This year parade
The TPM School will participate in the parade held at Intendente Magalhães Street between February 11 and 17. The official carnival date is from February 10 to 13. Ash Wednesday is February 14.