Maria Firmina dos Reis was born in São Luís, Maranhão. ″At age five, her mother and relatives moved to Viamão where she attended school. In 1847, due to outstanding performance, she won a scholarship for further studies at the level of ′cadeira de primeiras letras′ that prepared her to be a teacher.″[2] She maintained the profession ″until her retirement in 1881″.[3] ″At the age of fifty-five, she founded a school for poor children.″[3]