What makes someone a part of collective memory? Perhaps the answer lies in the life of coconut breaker Raimunda Gomes da Silva, who passed away yesterday at the age of 78. Known as Raimunda do Coco, her story is synonymous with the fight for the rights of rural women in the municipality of Bico do Papagaio (TO). As one of the founders of the Interstate Movement of Babaçu Coconut Breakers (MIQCB) and a member of the Regional Association of Rural Working Women of Bico do Papagaio (ASMUBIP), her work became a national and international reference for all those who shape freedom at the community level. In 2009, she received an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Tocantins, in addition to awards such as the Guilhermina Ribeira da Silva Woman-Citizen Diploma (Legislative Assembly of Tocantins) and the Bertha Lutz Diploma (Federal Senate). Raimunda also transcended Brazilian borders, reaching China, the United States, France, and Canada, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
We at ISPN recognize Raimunda's importance in strengthening projects focused on socio-environmental development, especially those that seek to empower women. Between 2016 and 2017, this community leader worked with us on the economic empowerment and improvement of the quality of life of rural women workers in Bico do Papagaio, through a project with ASMUBIP. With her, we learned about strength, ancestral wisdom, and the beauty of transforming her way of life into an instrument of struggle for agro-extractive workers. Her voice resonates with the rhythm of achievements for policies and rights. Now, she is part of the symbols of strength of those who remain here. From the babassu palm, nothing is lost. From the one who cracked the coconut, built struggles, and awakened women, nothing is forgotten. Dona Raimunda of the coconut, present!