María Carolina de Jesús

María Carolina de Jesús was a Brazilian writer and activist best known for her autobiographical book 'Quarto de despejo,' which chronicles her life as a trash collector in São Paulo during the 1950s. Her work highlighted the struggles of the impoverished and marginalized in Brazilian society and became a significant reflection on the socio-economic inequalities of the time. Jesús’s legacy continues to inspire contemporary activists like Aline Sousa, who reference her words and experiences in their fight for social justice and recognition of waste pickers' contributions.