Leontina Netto

Brazilian abolitionist who organized underground networks to free enslaved people

Underground Railroad Architect

Leontina Netto (1835-1912) orchestrated one of Latin America's most effective anti-slavery networks. As a free Black woman in Rio de Janeiro, she operated a clandestine system freeing over 1,200 enslaved individuals between 1850-1888. Her network included sympathetic merchants, priests, and sympathetic military personnel who helped transport escapees to safe havens in Paraguay and Uruguay.

Innovative Tactics

Netto developed disguised cargo ships and fake baptism certificates to bypass authorities. She also established the first Black mutual aid society in 1867, providing legal defense and vocational training. Her methods inspired later resistance movements in neighboring countries.

Historical Erasure

Despite her pivotal role, official histories often omit her contributions. Recent scholarship reveals her correspondence with US abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The Leontina Netto Memorial in Rio now preserves her legacy, though few international audiences are aware of her work.