We’re excited to highlight the April LOLA of the Month

Congratulations Izabela Patriota!

Meet Izabela…

Izabela is a member of the leadership team of LOLA Brazil, Ph.D. Candidate in law, and a Frédéric Bastiat Fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. While working as a researcher, she began to question her support of heavy government regulations and discovered the ideas of classical liberalism through the work of economist and philosopher, Amartya Sen. Izabela is passionate about showing people that you can be both a libertarian and a feminist and it is through the ideas of liberty that women thrive. As an articulate, passionate, and committed advocate for liberty around the world, Izabela embodies what it means to be a Lady of Liberty.

We asked Izabela about her experiences in LOLA thus far. Here’s what she had to say!

How did your involvement with LOLA begin?

My involvement began when I found myself looking for an alternative branch of the feminist movement in Brazil, one that didn’t involve socialism or other forms of big government. I had the chance to meet Cecília Lopes, the Founder of LOLA Brazil in 2018 at a conference in the city of São Paulo. She introduced me to LOLA and its mission. We then started working together to show women that there is another way.

Izabela at the 2019 LOLA Leadership Retreat in Washington, D.C.

“Before LOLA I felt alone. I was made to feel that since I identified as a feminist I had to follow the common socialist feminist agenda…” 

What is your favorite part of your role with LOLA?

My favorite part of my role with LOLA is definitely having the chance to tell women the diverse kind of solutions classical liberalism has to deal with women’s issues. Feminism and liberty go hand-in-hand because we do not impose behaviors on others. With libertarianism, women are free to make their own path and choose how to best live their lives.

Before LOLA I felt alone. I was made to feel that since I identified as a feminist I had to follow the common socialist feminist agenda and being a socialist was necessary to be a feminist. It was like there was no room to disagree or debate in the Brazilian feminist movement.

Izabela (pictured on the far right) with members of LOLA São Paulo.

Why is LOLA important to women in your community?

LOLA is important in Brazil because, prior to LOLA, we didn’t have a group of women that encouraged each other to both think for themselves and to find solutions for important problems from the perspective of classical liberalism. Feminism and libertarianism are not mutually exclusive, and it’s important that we show women that. Here we have the perfect environment to discuss ideas and bring a new perspective to Brazil.

Since there is a lot of pressure to be a socialist feminist, some women approach libertarianism as skeptics. By answering their tough questions I’ve been able to truly understand the ideas of classical liberalism and have been able to better share my ideas.

Izabela (second from right) discusses the successes in LOLA Brazil with fellow Brazil Leaders in this short video series.

Can you tell us the story of how you found Liberty?

I am a full-time academic researcher since I attended Law school undergraduate in Brazil and I used to be funded by the government.  Specifically, I study regulations, and at that time, I thought government control was good for our country and economy. However, as I continued my research and learned more, I realized that free markets, not heavy regulations, were the best system for the Brazilian economy and citizens.

I was first intrigued by the work of Indian Economist, Amartya Sen, and after deepening my understanding of free markets, I found libertarianism. Now, I’m inspired by the work of Elinor Ostrom and James Buchanan. I’m the most passionate about regulation and showing people why heavy government regulation just makes life more difficult.

Izabela (second from right) and members of LOLA Brazil with São Paulo councilwomen, Janaina Lima.

How do you balance being a LOLA chapter leader with other roles in your daily life?

While I’m from Brazil, I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in Law and a Frédéric Bastiat Fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Fairfax County, Virginia. Both my law studies and Fellowship make me feel fulfilled in my professional life, and I try to share the knowledge I’ve gained with fellow Ladies of Liberty.

Now we are starting a new project to discuss the impact that heavy regulations have on the labor market and how this government overreach disproportionately affects females laborers – especially poor women. I am glad to say that LOLA has a big and important part in my life and I feel really flattered to have this acknowledgment as LOLA of the Month.

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