Branco, Elisa

Born 1912 in Barretus, Sāo Paulo. Figure in the women’s movement of Brazil and the peace movement. By profession, a textile worker.

After World War II, Branco participated in the work of the Federation of Brazilian Women. From 1949 to 1960 she was vice-president of the Council of Brazilian Advocates of Peace. In September 1950, she protested the dispatching of Brazilian troops to Korea. For this she was arrested and was sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Under the force of public opinion she was freed in September 1951. From 1951 to 1965 she was a member of the All-World Council of Peace. In 1952, Branco was awarded the International Lenin Prize for Strengthening Peace Among Peoples.