Writers and celebrities react to Ana Maria Gonçalves' election to the Brazilian Academy of Letters: 'Historic and fair'

Writer Ana Maria Gonçalves made history this Thursday, 10th, as the first black woman to become immortal in Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL). The author of Um Defeito de Cor (Record, 2006) had a large majority in the vote - she received 30 votes from the 31 academics.

After the election, other writers and celebrities took to social media to comment. Lilia Schwarcz, also an immortal member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since last year, called the election "historic and fair."

"A Black woman who inaugurates a lineage in the Academy that aims to be diverse, plural, and attentive to the past, present, and future. It was a journey. Thirty votes," she wrote in an Instagram post. Singer Zelia Duncan and writer Aline Bei commented on the post with "cheers."

Macaé Evaristo, Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, highlighted the fact that Ana is the first Black woman to receive this recognition. "May Ana Maria's arrival usher in a time of appreciation for Black women writers in this space," she hoped.

Ana Maria Gonçalves was elected immortal by the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL). She was the first Black woman to receive this recognition. May Ana Maria's arrival usher in a time of appreciation for Black women writers in this space! pic.twitter.com/Y75B811SE7

— Macaé Evaristo (@MacaeEvaristo) July 10, 2025

Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality, said the selection was "a victory for literature." "[A victory] for the memory of our people and for this Brazil that is already changing: more just, more pluralistic, and with our face," she wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Historic! Ana Maria Gonçalves, author of Um Defeito de Cor (A Flaw in Color), is the first Black woman elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters. An achievement for literature, for the memory of our people, and for this Brazil that is already changing: more just, more pluralistic, and with our own face! pic.twitter.com/2BOehy0gWO

— Anielle Franco (@aniellefranco) July 10, 2025