Joana da Paz
Joana da Paz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 April 1925 Quebrangulo, Alagoas, Brazil |
| Died | 22 February 2023 (aged 97) Salvador, Bahia, Brazil |
| Known for | Reports against drug trafficking and police corruption |
Joana Zeferino da Paz (15 April 1925 – 22 February 2023) was a Brazilian activist. Popularly known as Dona Vitória, she stood out for recording, at the age of 80, criminal actions in her neighborhood, contributing to the arrest of dozens of drug traffickers and corrupt police officers.[1][2][3] Her real identity was only revealed after her death, becoming a symbol of courage and the fight against criminality.[4]
Life
[edit]Joana was born in Quebrangulo in the agreste of Alagoas and had a very difficult life from an early age.[5] She was thrown out and forced to leave the house where she worked as a maid after suffering numerous acts of violence, including rape by a farmer from Alagoas, which resulted in an early pregnancy.[6][5] Her son died before he was two years old, a victim of heart failure. She wandered for a long time until she reestablished herself and bought an apartment in Ladeira dos Tabajaras favela, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.[1]
Joana was a massage therapist who graduated from the General Polyclinic of Rio de Janeiro. For most of her life, she faced the social challenges of living in a favela amidst the violence of drug trafficking.[7] At the age of 80, dissatisfied with the increasing crime rate, she began recording drug trafficking operations, extortion and armed confrontations from her window with a camera.[8] The recordings were handed over to the authorities and became essential evidence in police investigations, resulting in the arrest of approximately 30 people, including drug traffickers and military police officers involved in corruption.[9] For security reasons, Joana was included in the Witness Protection Program and adopted the name "Dona Vitória". She spent the rest of her life anonymously, living in several cities until her death in Salvador on 22 February 2023, at the age of 97.[10]
Recognition
[edit]In August 2024, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro posthumously awarded Joana Zeferino da Paz the Peace Builder Award, in recognition of her courage and contribution to the promotion of a culture of peace and denunciation of violence.[11]
In 2025, the film Vitória was released in Brazilian cinemas, inspired by her story, directed by Breno Silveira and Andrucha Waddington, starring Fernanda Montenegro in the lead role.[12][13]
The book Dona Vitória Joana da Paz, written by journalist Fábio Gusmão, was published in 2016 and reissued in 2024, offering a detailed view of her life and legacy.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Morre Dona Vitória, nasce Joana da Paz: repórter revela identidade da idosa que documentou o tráfico de Copacabana". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Quem foi Joana da Paz, que inspirou personagem de Fernanda Montenegro em 'Vitória'?". Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Joana da Paz: a mulher que enfrentou o narcotráfico e virou filme". Jornal de Brasília (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ a b Mioli, Teresa (8 January 2025). "A heroína da janela: a história de Joana da Paz que marcou o jornalismo brasileiro é relançada em livro". LatAm Journalism Review by the Knight Center. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ a b Carvalho, Severino (23 March 2025). "Autor do livro que inspirou o filme Vitória fala das raízes alagoanas da mulher que desafiou o crime". Alagoas Notícia Boa (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Tiro na janela, estupro, falso aluguel... Veja sete fatos sobre Dona Joana da Paz, heroína da vida real vivida por Fernanda Montenegro no filme 'Vitória'". extra (in Brazilian Portuguese). 13 March 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Após morte, 'Extra' revela identidade de Dona Vitória, a idosa de Copacabana que levou traficantes e policiais à prisão com suas filmagens". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Rosa, Nathalie (27 October 2024). "Conheça a história real de Joana da Paz, inspiração do filme Vitória, com Fernanda Montenegro". TecMundo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Morre 'Dona Vitória', idosa que levou à prisão traficantes e PMs com filmagens feitas pela janela de casa, em Copacabana". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Morre 'Dona Vitória', idosa que levou à prisão traficantes e PMs com filmagens feitas pela janela de casa, em Copacabana". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Alerj concede prêmio póstumo a Joana Zeferino da Paz, a Dona Vitória". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 27 August 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Monteiro, Gilson (15 March 2025). "Conheça a história de Joana da Paz, a alagoana que denunciou o tráfico no Rio de Janeiro e inspirou filme com Fernanda Montenegro". TNH1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Quem é Joana da Paz, interpretada por Fernanda Montenegro em 'Vitória'?". Exame (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 April 2025.