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Marina Silva was born in the small village of Breu Velho in the Amazon region, as one of eleven children, in a community of rubber tappers on a plantation. She worked as a maid while putting herself through university. In 1994 she was elected to senate. In 2003, Silva was appointed environmental minister by then president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Throughout her 20 year career in politics, Silva has spearheaded many initiatives to help stave off the ongoing deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. She has also supported sustainable development and the rights of natives living in the Amazon.

Marina Silva is currently running for the president of Brazil under the country’s Brazil’s Socialist Party. If she is elected next month, her presidency could be historic for the country.

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