Growing up in Canada, I took so many rights for granted. It wasn’t until much later in life that I even learned of my Portuguese ancestry. While my family practiced Catholicism, I left that belief behind at 14. For years, I didn’t fully grasp the struggles that so many, especially women, have faced to secure the rights I once assumed were universal.
Now, as we see rising threats to democracy—even with the U.S. casting a shadow over Canada—I am more aware than ever of the privilege I’ve held. Learning about Maria Teresa Horta, one of Portugal’s Three Marias, has only deepened my resolve to fight for justice, equality, inclusion, and against patriarchy and authoritarian rule.
Horta and her co-authors of challenged oppression under Portugal’s dictatorship and paid the price for their defiance. Their story is a reminder that rights are never guaranteed—they must be defended. I hope we can all draw inspiration from their courage as we move forward in these uncertain times.
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