Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LIDIANI BRILHANTE DA SILVA

LIGHT ON THEM: participation and protagonism of women in the process of historical, social and cultural construction in the State of Rondônia

Women. History. Narratives. Memories. Rondônia.

The text presents a research proposal aimed at uncovering the social history of women who contributed to the construction and maintenance of the state of Rondônia, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the writing of this history based on the following problem: How did the historical trajectory of women in the Rondônia region develop through their significant insertions, actions, and contributions from the 1970s to the 1990s? Considering this as recent history, women who practiced/worked between the 1970s and 1990s will be selected, as these individuals somehow managed to leave significant marks through their legacies in the process of building the state of Rondônia. The involvement of women in the creation of the state of Rondônia followed trends of excluding the visibility of the female presence, revealing only small elements found in the archives. It is possible to find traces of women who fought for the construction of the state; however, they are seen as secondary characters, not inferred as part of the forefront, thus being neutralized and erased from the historical process. Although there are traces in history showing that women were always present, they were relegated to the background, with their participation restricted in memory and excluded from the elucidation of the state's history. The nature of this research is empirical. In its first phase, it proposes a documentary investigation, configured as a study of theorists and literature on gender relations and the history of the construction of the state of Rondônia. The data collection analysis will be narrative-based, considering Oral History. The presentation of results follows the proposal of analysis and description of arguments using the argumentative techniques of the New Rhetoric by Perelman and Tyteca (2005). The results of the interviews with pioneering women in Rondônia are presented and discussed based on other research on the subject. The objective was to analyze these women's narratives about their role in the historical, social, and cultural development of the state. The interviews used biographical methods and were analyzed to identify key themes related to women's contributions in the region. The selected dialogues represent the main arguments extracted from the interviews. The narratives highlight these women's migration to Rondônia in search of better opportunities, often accompanying their husbands. They faced challenges such as lack of infrastructure, poor working conditions, and the need to balance domestic and professional responsibilities. Despite the adversities, the interviewees demonstrated resilience and creativity, adapting and significantly contributing to their communities. These women's experiences underscore the importance of family relationships and the expectations of improved living conditions in their decision to migrate. The narratives of the pioneering women in Rondônia emphasize their resilience and contributions in health, education, and leadership. They overcame challenges and paved the way for future generations. Their stories enrich the historical understanding and celebrate the diversity of experiences.