Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-08
ROAD DELEGATE FROM BRAZIL
SLENDER, DARK-EYED SENORITA
Engineering Ability Wins
Convention Visitor Many
Honors.
Personally Superintendent the
Construction of Buildings
in Rio de Janeiro.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

The only woman delegate from the
South American hemisphere, Senorits
Carmen Velasco Porthino, Is one Of
seven Representatives from Brazil at
tending the Sixth International Roac
Congress A slender, dark-eyed youne
woman, Senorita Porthino comes, moi
only as an official from her country, but
also as one of three delegates sent by
the Automobile Club of Brazil.
Senorita Porthino, although in her
early twenties, has gained innumerable
honors and recognition OF her profes-
sional ability in her own country. Upon
receiving her degree as doctor OF
engineering from the "Ecols Politechni-
que" OF Rio de Janeiro flve years ago
Senorita Porthino obtained position
as city engineer on the engineering staff
of Brazil's capital city, and since that
time, has personally superintended the
construction Of many OF the cityis finest
public buildings.
In addition to her knowledge OF
engineering. the young woman studied
architecture for two years at the school
of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, and her
knowledge of architecture has served
her frequently In the selection of build
ing designs or architectural decorations
for public buildings.
At Session In brazil.
Senorita Porthino attended the Pan
American Road Congress which was
held in Brazil last year, and the day
she left Rio de Janeiro to attend the
international congress now In Wash
ington she finished attending q conven-
ton Of the Automobile Club of Brazil
In addition to her profession,
Senorita Porthino Is an active member
Of the Association of Progress Of Women
Of Rio de Janeirp, an organization work.
ing to secure votes for women. "Only
one state In Brazil has been granted
suffrage for women" explained Senorits
Porthino.
1.-TWO years ago the Governor Of the
State of Rio Grande de Norte, President
Lamartine, gave votes to women In
that state. AS women in my country
are now taking an active part in the
business life of the nation, we feel we
should be permitted to vote. The Asso-
citation of Progress for Women, OF
which am vice president, is working
to secure votes for women throughout
the entire country"
In addition to her Office In the wom-
ans political party of Rip de Janeiro
Senorita Porthino Is president of the
Brazilian University Womans Union
She Is also teacher Of mathematics in
the national secondary schools, and
writes numerous articles for newspapers
throughout her country.
Brazilian women are now enjoying
wide liberties in the choice Of caJeers
Senorita Porthino said.
Ideas Seen Changing.
"Of course" she remarked, there
Is still q conservative group who believe
that q woman's place should only be IN
the home But that group Is fast dis
appearing and the closely restricted and
chaperoned senorita Is now found only
in the provinces and the interior OF
Brazil. Rio de Janeiro now has many
women and girls Who are entering the
medical and legal professions. One OF
my younger sisters is studying Jaw and
another is to study engineering"
Senorita Porthino Is the eldest Of nine
children and much of the responsibility
of her family has been borne by her
since the death of her father, which
occurred during heT last year In the
university.
Arriving IN washington Saturday,
Miss Porthino'S first visit was to the
Geological Garden. AS is frequently
the case, the young woman, being an
engineer and constructor Of buildings,
prefers visiting ZOOS to public buildings.
However, she admits that next to the
Alaskan bears, she has found Wash
ington's public edifices very interest
ing. She does not approve, however, OF
the architecture of the State, War and
Navy Building, feeling that 1t spells the
unity Of idea in other public buildings
of the city.
Although road construction has not
come under Senorita Porthino's official
work. she nevertheless is intensely in