Maria Anastasia Melo

A Brazilian educator who founded the first girls' school in Rio de Janeiro, advocating for women's education in the 19th century.

Maria Anastasia Melo (1815–1890) was a pioneering Brazilian educator who defied societal norms by establishing the first girls' school in Rio de Janeiro in 1842. Born into a working-class family, Melo worked as a seamstress before dedicating her life to education. Her school, "Escola de Meninas Santa Clara," provided free education to impoverished girls, teaching literacy, mathematics, and vocational skills like sewing and bookkeeping.

Melo's efforts were met with resistance from conservative elites who believed women should not pursue formal education. However, she gained support from progressive politicians and eventually secured funding from the Brazilian government. By 1860, her school had expanded to three branches, educating over 500 girls annually. Her methods emphasized practical skills alongside classical education, preparing women for roles in commerce and administration.

Melo's advocacy extended beyond classrooms. She wrote pamphlets arguing that educated women could strengthen families and society, and her ideas influenced Brazil's first national education law in 1874. Today, the Museu da Educação no Rio honors her legacy with exhibits on her life and work.