The Vida Verde Women's Co-Op

Brazilian Immigrants Organizing to Promote Environmental and Social Justice

Bibliographic Data

ID11020146
AuthorsDavid M Gute (0000-0001-6743-213X, David M. Gute is with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA. Eduardo Siqueira is with the Department of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. At the time of the study Julia S. Goldberg was a graduate student at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Heloisa Galvão and Mônica Chianelli are with the Brazilian Women's Group, Boston, MA. Alex Pirie is with the Immigrant Service Providers...), Eduardo Siqueira (David M. Gute is with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA. Eduardo Siqueira is with the Department of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. At the time of the study Julia S. Goldberg was a graduate student at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Heloisa Galvão and Mônica Chianelli are with the Brazilian Women's Group, Boston, MA. Alex Pirie is with the Immigrant Service Providers...), Carlos Eduardo Gomes Siqueira (0000-0001-8993-3031, Tufts University), Julia S Goldberg (David M. Gute is with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA. Eduardo Siqueira is with the Department of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. At the time of the study Julia S. Goldberg was a graduate student at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Heloisa Galvão and Mônica Chianelli are with the Brazilian Women's Group, Boston, MA. Alex Pirie is with the Immigrant Service Providers...), Heloisa Galvão (David M. Gute is with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA. Eduardo Siqueira is with the Department of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. At the time of the study Julia S. Goldberg was a graduate student at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Heloisa Galvão and Mônica Chianelli are with the Brazilian Women's Group, Boston, MA. Alex Pirie is with the Immigrant Service Providers...), Mônica Chianelli (David M. Gute is with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA. Eduardo Siqueira is with the Department of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. At the time of the study Julia S. Goldberg was a graduate student at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Heloisa Galvão and Mônica Chianelli are with the Brazilian Women's Group, Boston, MA. Alex Pirie is with the Immigrant Service Providers...), Mónica S Chianelli (Tufts University), Alex Pirie (David M. Gute is with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, MA. Eduardo Siqueira is with the Department of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. At the time of the study Julia S. Goldberg was a graduate student at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Heloisa Galvão and Mônica Chianelli are with the Brazilian Women's Group, Boston, MA. Alex Pirie is with the Immigrant Service Providers...)
Year2009
Volume99
IssueS3
PagesS495-S498
Publication date2009-11-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2008.148528
PMID19890146
PMCIDPMC2774174
OpenAlexW2041488803
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited12

We reviewed the key steps in the launch of the Vida Verde Women's Co-Op among Brazilian immigrant housecleaners in Somerville, MA. The co-op provides green housecleaning products, encourages healthy work practices, and promotes a sense of community among its members. We conducted in-depth interviews with 8 of the first co-op members, who reported a reduction in symptoms associated with the use of traditional cleaning agents and a new sense of mutual support. Critical to the co-op's success have been the supportive roles of its academic partners (Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell), effective media outreach, and a focus on advancing social justice. Next steps include implementing a formal business plan and assessing the appropriateness of cooperatives in other industries

Criminology · Economic Justice · Focus group · Immigration · Outreach · Political science · Public relations · Social justice · Sociology · Environmental Sustainability in Business · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Gerontology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access