I was born in Brazil; in my early twenties I moved to Montreal, Canada, where I lived until moving to Boston in 1990
I became a member of the Harvard Neighbors in the same year I arrived in Boston. Harvard Neighbors helped me meet new friends and new cultures. The Japanese Group taught me not only how to cook delicious dishes but also about emerging cultures. Being part of the French Book club for more than 15 years opened my horizon about French books, in particular the African writers. In 2016, thanks to the support of the HN Board I started the Community Service and Outreach Group, the group has been very successful and is making a positive difference in the lives of our Cambridge neighbors in difficult times and in need of help. I am an avid advocate for justice for all, equity, and ending food insecurity. I have been working with shelters for battered women and their children as well as the homeless for the past 30 years. I have two grown-up children who live in the Boston area.