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by Luján Scarpinelli
© Agence France-Presse
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazilian businesswoman Luiza Trajano has made it onto lots of lists: TIME’s most influential individuals, Forbes’ billionaires, the largest fortunes in Brazil…
However though she has been touted as a possible contender in Brazil’s presidential elections this yr, there may be one record she says she is decided to remain off: the poll.
With the nation deeply polarized forward of October’s polls, “I wish to unite Brazil,” not divide it additional, says the 73-year-old entrepreneur, who made her fortune constructing her household retailer, Journal Luiza, into one in every of Latin America’s largest on-line retailers.
Not that Trajano, a family title in Brazil, is shying from the highlight because the race heats up between far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his nemesis, leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Recognized for her trailblazing work selling girls’s equality, combating racial discrimination and pushing to hurry up Brazil’s vaccination marketing campaign in opposition to Covid-19, Trajano says she stays engaged as ever on this clutch election yr.
“I wish to take Brazil the place I believe it needs to be, the place I believe it deserves to be,” she informed AFP in an interview.
“I wish to finish these deep divisions which are inflicting the nation lots of hurt,” stated the elegantly dressed businesswoman, a forceful speaker with an imposing persona offset by her contagious snort and shiny pink lipstick.
– ‘Totally different’ odyssey –
Loads of Brazilians want to see Trajano get into politics.
With the enterprise sector and political center desperately looking for centrist options to Lula and Bolsonaro, her title was floated as a possible “third-way” candidate.
There was additionally speak Lula might ask her to be his operating mate.
“I’ve been invited loads of occasions (to run), together with for president,” Trajano stated.
However she added she doesn’t need labels, past those she already has: chair of the board at Magalu, as her firm is popularly identified, and president of Girls of Brazil, her 100,000-member empowerment initiative.
“I’m nonpartisan, however political,” she stated.
That has not stopped Bolsonaro from attacking her as a “socialist businesswoman.”
Lula has in the meantime sung her praises.
When TIME named Trajano to its record of 100 most influential individuals final yr, the ex-president (2003-2010) wrote the journal’s blurb on her.
“In a world the place billionaires burn their fortunes on house adventures and yachts, Luiza is devoted to a unique form of odyssey… constructing a industrial big whereas developing a greater Brazil,” waxed the Staff’ Get together (PT) founder.
However Trajano needs to be clear: The PT has “by no means” requested her to run for workplace, she stated.
– Salesgirl to chairwoman –
Trajano grew up the one baby of a modest household within the metropolis of Franca, in southeastern Brazil.
She began working at 12 throughout college trip, serving to out on the family items retailer based in 1957 by her aunt, additionally named Luiza.
“I had the fortune to return from a household of girls entrepreneurs, who believed within the energy of girls at a time when most girls didn’t work outdoors the house,” stated Trajano.
She took the helm in 1991, and shortly turned the enterprise into one of many largest retail chains in Brazil, with almost 1,500 shops, and an e-commerce pioneer.
“I’ve damaged lots of beliefs that restricted me,” stated Trajano.
“I really like doing that.”
– No slowing down –
Trajano rejects Bolsonaro’s label of “socialist.” However paradoxically, the fifth-richest girl in Brazil, whose fortune is estimated at $1.4 billion, says she isn’t any fan of capitalism both, calling it “savage.”
She prefers to deal with methods to raised society.
When Covid-19 hit Brazil exhausting and Bolsonaro flouted professional recommendation on containing it, Trajano mobilized a marketing campaign known as “United for the Vaccine” that rallied private-sector assist for the public-health system.
Looking for to struggle structural racism in Brazil, she launched a trainee program at Journal Luiza in 2020 to recruit promising black staff — drawing each applause and criticism.
Now she is setting her sights on together with extra girls in politics.
Girls at the moment maintain simply 15 % of seats in Brazil’s Congress. Trajano needs them to carry half.
She gained’t run herself — however she’s not slowing down, both.
“I alter cycles, however I’ll by no means retire,” she stated.
© Agence France-Presse
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