LOLA Brazil Brings Gloria Álvarez’s Book to Brazilian Readers
Gloria Álvarez, Guatemalan political scientist, best-selling author, and member of LOLA’s Advisory Board, is one of the world’s boldest voices for freedom of expression. She went to Brazil to launch her latest book, “Cómo defender la libertad y no suicidarte en el intento” (How to Defend Liberty Without Destroying Yourself in the Process). This groundbreaking book, translated into Portuguese and published for the first time in Brazil by LOLA Brazil, explores the challenges of defending freedom in today’s world. From tackling populism and censorship to confronting cancel culture, Álvarez guides readers on how to stand up for liberty without sacrificing their mental and emotional well-being.
This marks a significant milestone for LOLA Brazil, as it represents the first time the chapter has translated and published a book. The achievement reflects the remarkable growth and dedication of LOLA Brazil, a chapter that has been flourishing and expanding its impact throughout the country.
Gloria visited two cities—Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo—where LOLA members and chapter leaders voluntarily organized the launch events with passion and commitment.
Rio de Janeiro
In Rio, Arca Hub in Ipanema hosted an unforgettable evening of discussion and engagement. Gloria presented the main ideas of her book, highlighting topics such as freedom of expression, cancel culture, emotional health in activism, and the role of public debate today.
The event included a lively Q&A session, where the audience asked questions about democracy, defending liberal ideas in public debates, and strategies to stay resilient in the face of censorship and societal pressures. The discussion was sharp, thoughtful, and full of practical insights, offering attendees a clear vision of how to stand up for freedom without losing themselves in the process. The evening concluded with a toast, celebrating not only the book launch but also the growing community of women committed to defending liberty in Brazil.
São Paulo
In São Paulo, the launch took a more personal approach. A LOLA opened her home to host Gloria and a small group of readers and thinkers. The focus was on emotional health in activism, personal courage, and practical strategies for defending liberal ideas in everyday life.
The intimate setting allowed for deep conversations, reflections, and shared experiences. Attendees explored how to maintain intellectual courage, manage the stress of public debate, and engage in meaningful dialogue without losing personal balance.
A Volunteer-Driven Success
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Gloria Álvarez for trusting LOLA with this project and believing in our mission to defend freedom and empower women across Latin America. Her support and collaboration made this historic milestone possible.
We also want to thank the Brazilian LOLA team and its members, whose dedication and passion brought this project to life from start to finish. The book was translated by Yara Haquim, designed by Bianca Mourão, and the events were led by Sara Ganime and Izabela Patriota under the leadership of Letícia Barros, Brazil’s Regional Leader.
From translation and design to event organization, everything was accomplished voluntarily by LOLAs who believe deeply in the mission of defending freedom and empowering women across Latin America.