Known as the ‘Five Magnificent’, the first women to serve as mayors in post-revolutionary Portugal include Alda Santos Victor from Vagos and Judite Mendes de Abreu from Coimbra, both of whom have passed away.
The remaining members shared their reflections, noting the challenges they faced entering local governance, yet none regretted the journey.
At 91, Francelina Chambel, once mayor of Sardoal, reflects on the difficulties she encountered when moving from Lisbon with her young children in 1976. Despite being warmly welcomed, she faced numerous challenges, including working long hours with minimal resources and sometimes without pay.
Lurdes Breu, who led Estarreja’s municipal council until 1993, recounts how she accepted the mayoral candidacy after initial reluctance. She highlighted how women in politics bring a refined sense of duty and sensitivity, although women’s role in politics remains secondary, a point echoed by her peers.
Now 85 and living in Ovar, Breu expressed concern about the hesitancy of women to enter politics and emphasized the importance of taking initiative without waiting for an invitation.
Odete Isabel, who served as mayor of Mealhada, stresses the need for women to engage in community affairs and recalls how role models—her mother, primary school teacher, and Maria de Lurdes Pintasilgo—inspired her. She remains active, recently supporting the PS candidacy in Mealhada, which promotes gender parity.
