Suzana Pires is one of Brazil’s most respected and celebrated actresses, who also happens to be a writer, a producer, entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. She’s also authored a new book, Unleashed, which will release on August 19th. The book is a riveting guide that helps to awaken to power within and eliminate the obstacles that stand in the way of success. Unleashed was inspired by a Suzana’s women’s empowerment organization, Dona de Si, which started in Brazil. She’s affected and positively impacted so many lives through her organization that she’s expanding her reach to help others across the globe. We sat down with Suzana to learn more about unleashing that incredible power, her go-to self-care rituals, and why it’s so important to celebrate femininity…
1. You recently authored a new book called “Unleashed.” What can you share with our readers?
Unleashed is a book based on my professional experience as an entrepreneur. It gives women an effective method of facing and overcoming the hostilities we suffer in the workplace (and in society) by providing a method for self-empowerment and financial independence.
2. What was your inspiration for starting your organization, Dona de Si?
The inspiration came from the readers’ feedback of my column DONA DE SI in VOGUE BRASIL. In each email, I read the same story of overqualified women that were dealing with three things: exhaustion, oppression and loneliness. I understood that it would be difficult for us to grow if we did not neutralize these feelings. So, the DONA DE SI institute (@institutodonadesi) was born to offer a method of entrepreneurship for women that were being blocked from making their own business plans.
3. How do you define femininity? Why do you think it’s so important for women to lean into that?
My view femininity is not only a characteristic of the female gender, but of all of us. It’s broader. However, when we talk about femininity in women (trans or cis) we are talking about thousands of years of the cultural heritage of a patriarchal society. To strengthen our personal foundation is to break the historical prison of being a supporting figure and to assume the absolute protagonism of our existence. It’s important for women to lean into femininity because we need to be aware of all that we have achieved and all that we need to achieve to have social equity.
4. What does the word “empowerment” mean to you?
To me, this word means a series of actions that lead us to places that we couldn´t be part of previously, but now we can, and we will.
5. You recently moved from Brazil to Los Angeles. What was the impetus to start this new journey?
To expand my territory by having a dialogue with as many women as possible.
6. What would you say is something about Brazilian culture that Americans may not know?
Brazilians are Latinos. This can be confusing because we are the only country in Latin America that does not speak Spanish, but we are Latinos, like all our neighboring countries. And we are also passionate about life.
7. You’re an accomplished and celebrated actress and writer in Brazil. What has the process been like to expand that empire into the US? Any challenges you’ve faced?
My expansion process has two sides: motivation and conflict. The motivation to have a dialogue with a new culture, to meet new people. And the conflict is that butterfly in the stomach when we’ve left that place of comfort. I am in love with this journey and how welcomed I’ve felt.
8. How do you indulge in self-care when you’re not working? Any favorite go-to product loves?
I love massages and I am addicted to skin creams because I love my skin feeling soft and vibrant. Creams, perfumes, and oils are my go-to product loves.
9. What advice do you have for the woman who is trying to harness her own power?
Every woman has the UNLEASHED seed within herself, but to germinate it you need to focus, know your strength and fragility, and create a good support network. Most of the time those who will support you are people who are searching for the same things as you. They don’t necessarily have to be people you have close relationships with.
10. Lastly, where can our readers buy your book?!
You can buy UNLEASHED at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon and any major American bookstore.
You can follow Suzana on Instagram @suzipires
Photo credit: Ben Cope
Makeup: Olaf Derlig for Exclusive Artists
Styling: Anna Schilling
