Solidariedade à família e amigas (os) de Maria Angelina de Oliveira
Maria Angelina de Oliveira, one of the most significant leaders of the Young Christian Workers (JOC) movement in Brazil and the world, has passed away, Radio Peao Brasil reports.
Her trajectory was marked by a lifetime dedicated to the struggle of the working class, popular movements and the solidarity economy. Her departure fills with sadness family members, friends, activists and social organizations that lived and learned from her example.
Angelina had her first contact with the JOC in 1955, at the age of 21, in the city of João Pessoa, in Paraíba, beginning a journey that would cross borders. Two years later, in 1957, she took over the Regional Coordination of the JOC in the Northeast, and, in 1960, she became a member of the National Coordination of the Brazilian JOC (JOC-B).
With her focus always on the education and organization of young workers, Angelina expanded her activism beyond national borders. In 1964, she took on the JOC’s outreach work in Colombia and, in 1966, she was responsible for the movement’s Education and Outreach Service, working in Asia, Africa and Latin America. At the JOC World Council, held in Lebanon in 1969, she was elected vice-president of JOC International , a role that consolidated her relevance in the global workers’ movement.
Back in Brazil in 1971, Angelina settled in Recife (PE), where she worked at the Tacaruna textile factory. She was arrested by the Civil-Military Dictatorship, and after her release, she spent seven months in Crateús (CE), until returning to her hometown, João Pessoa.
Her career was marked by social engagement. In 1976, she moved to Rio de Janeiro, where, welcomed by Sila and Father Agostinho, she joined the Pastoral Operária, the Central de Favelas and the Residents’ Associations. Three years later, in 1979, she helped found the Community Action Center (CEDAC), focused on training young people and supporting grassroots organizations, social movements, indigenous peoples and marginalized communities.
Angelina was also one of the articulators of the construction of the solidarity economy in Brazil. In 2000, she participated in the debates that resulted in the creation of the National Secretariat of Solidarity Economy (SENAES) and the 1st Brazilian Forum of Solidarity Economy (FBES).
In 2011, she returned to João Pessoa and, shortly after her mother’s death, she settled in Recife, where she remained active in activism. Even at an advanced age, she continued to participate in national and international events. She attended the II International Colloquium of the JOC in 2016, in Germany, and, in 2018, she helped organize the National Meeting of Members and Former Members of the JOC-B (ENAJOCISTA), held in Nova Lima (MG).
Until her last days, living in Camaragibe (PE) with her sisters Nena and Gorette, Angelina maintained her political and financial support for the JOC at local, regional and national levels, with special attention to adult extension workers in the Northeast.
His journey remains an example of courage, dedication and commitment to the working class and popular movements. His Easter, as his fellow travelers say, does not represent an end, but the continuation of his living inspiration in present and future struggles.
The National Coordination of the Brazilian JOC expressed, in a note, solidarity with the family, highlighting: “Our hearts and our memories keep memories of his words, his testimony of life and militancy in the JOC. He will continue to be present, inspiring our militant journey and the ongoing work of the JOC.”
SOURCE
Morre Maria Angelina de Oliveira, liderança histórica da JOC (Radio Peao Brasil)
Nota de Solidariedade da Coordenação Nacional da JOCBrasileira.
Nossa solidariedade à família e amigas (os) de Maria Angelina de Oliveira pela sua partida.
Angelina teve seu primeiro contato com a JOC, em 1955, aos 21 anos de idade, na cidade de João Pessoa-PB.
Em 1957, assumiu a Coordenação Regional da JOC Nordeste. Em 1960 integrou a Coordenação Nacional da JOC-B.
Em 1964, Angelina assumiu o trabalho de extensão da JOC na Colômbia.
Em 1966, assumiu a responsabilidade do Serviço de Formação e Extensão do movimento para a Ásia, África e América Latina.
Em 1969, no Conselho Mundial da JOC, realizado no Líbano, foi eleita vice-presidente internacional.
Em 1971, voltou para o Brasil, mais precisamente para Recife-PE, onde foi trabalhar na fábrica de tecidos Tacaruna. Foi presa pela Ditadura Civil Militar e após ser libertada, foi morar em Crateús-CE, onde ficou por 7 meses.
Decidiu voltar para João Pessoa-PB, sua terra natal.
Em 1976, foi para o Rio de Janeiro-RJ, e acolhida por Sila e Padre Agostinho, participou da Pastoral Operária, Central de Favelas e de Associações de Moradores.
Em 1979, ajudou a fundar o CEDAC (Centro de Ação Comunitária), que tem como público alvo: jovens, organizações populares, movimentos sociais, povos indígenas e população em geral.
Em 2000, participou das discussões para a criação da SENAES (Secretaria Nacional de Economia Solidária) e do 1º. FBES (Fórum de Brasileiro de Economia Solidária).
Em 2011, voltou para João Pessoa-PB, e logo após o falecimento de sua mãe, veio morar em Recife-PE.
Em 2016, participou do II Colóquio Internacional da JOC, em Aachen, na Alemanha.
Em 2018, participou ativamente da construção do ENAJOCISTA (Encontro Nacional de militantes e antigos/as militantes da JOC-B), em Nova Lima-MG.
Angelina continuou contribuindo politicamente e financeiramente, com a JOC a nível local, regional e nacional, principalmente no desafio de apoiar adultos extensionistas, especialmente na região Nordeste.
Atualmente estava morando em Camaragibe-PE, juntamente com suas irmãs Nena e Gorette.
Nosso orgulho e agradecimento a Angelina por toda a trajetória de vida e de militância dedicada a JOC e à classe trabalhadora.
Fez sua Páscoa.
Nosso coração e nossa memória guardam lembranças das suas palavras, do seu testemunho de vida e militância na JOC.
Seguirá presente inspirando nossa caminhada militante e o trabalho contínuo da JOC.
Um abraço forte da Coordenação Nacional da JOCBrasileira.
14/06/25
English Translation
Note of Solidarity
Our solidarity with the family and friends of Maria Angelina de Oliveira on her passing.
Angelina had her first contact with the JOC in 1955, at the age of 21, in the city of João Pessoa-PB.
In 1957, she took on the Regional Coordination of the JOC Northeast. In 1960, she joined the National Coordination of the JOC-B.
In 1964, Angelina took on the extension work of the JOC in Colombia.
In 1966, she assumed responsibility for the Training and Extension Service of the movement for Asia, Africa and Latin America.
In 1969, at the World Council of the JOC, held in Lebanon, she was elected international vice-president.
In 1971, she returned to Brazil, more precisely to Recife-PE, where she went to work at the Tacaruna textile factory. She was arrested by the Civil-Military Dictatorship and after being released, she went to live in Crateús-CE, where she stayed for 7 months.
She decided to return to João Pessoa-PB, her hometown.
In 1976, she went to Rio de Janeiro-RJ, and welcomed by Sila and Father Agostinho, she participated in the Pastoral Operária, Central de Favelas and Residents’ Associations.
In 1979, she helped found CEDAC (Community Action Center), which targets young people, grassroots organizations, social movements, indigenous peoples and the general population.
In 2000, she participated in discussions to create SENAES (National Secretariat for the Solidarity Economy) and the 1st FBES (Brazilian Forum for the Solidarity Economy).
In 2011, she returned to João Pessoa-PB, and soon after her mother’s death, she came to live in Recife-PE.
In 2016, she participated in the II International Colloquium of the JOC, in Aachen, Germany.
In 2018, she actively participated in the creation of ENAJOCISTA (National Meeting of activists and former activists of the JOC-B), in Nova Lima-MG.
Angelina continued to contribute politically and financially to the JOC at the local, regional and national levels, mainly in the challenge of supporting adult extension workers, especially in the Northeast region.
She was currently living in Camaragibe-PE, together with her sisters Nena and Gorette.
We are proud and grateful to Angelina for her entire life and activism dedicated to the JOC and the working class.
She celebrated her Easter.
Our hearts and our memories keep memories of her words, her testimony of life and activism in the JOC.
She will continue to be present, inspiring our militant journey and the ongoing work of the JOC.
A big hug from the National Coordination of the JOCBrasileira.
06/14/25