Rose Marie Muraro (Rio de Janeiro, November 11, 1930 –Rio de Janeiro, June 21, 2014) was aBraziliansociologist,[1] writer, intellectual andfeminist. Born nearlyblind, she was the author of over 40 books and also served as publisher and director ofVozes.
Muraro studiedphysics and economics, before becoming a writer and editor. She also spoke different languages and studied mathematics.[2] She published controversial books, challenging modernsocial values. After editing Vozes, she became the editor ofEspaço &Tempo (1986–1988),Rosa dos Tempos (1989–1998) and,Editora Record.[2]
Muraro was a prominent figure in the development of thefeminist movement in Brazil. Like other authors such asCarmen da Silva,Heloneida Studart, andHeleieth Saffioti, Muraro was considered part of the first-wave Brazilian feminists, who started addressing women's condition in their works.[3] She began advocating for gender equality in 1967 with the publication of her bookLibertecao sexual da muher.[4] Early in her career, however, she did not label herself a feminist and would only embrace it when she became the editor of the publishing houseVozes.[4] This has been attributed to the negative connotation of the nascent feminism in Brazil. An account noted that the Brazilian feminism positioned itself self-consciously in relation to the politics of public and private spheres.[5]
Muraro was also a proponent ofLiberation Theology. She was a founding member the movement, which was established by the theologianLeonardo Boff.[6] She was fielded as candidate of the PDT and PT political parties.[2]
Muraro wrote her memoir in 1999. It is said that her creative writing students atTemple University prompted her to write about her life.[2]
She died in 2014 ofbone marrow cancer.[7]