[1] Born in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina on July 17, 1901, Antonieta de Barros was a pioneer in fighting the discrimination against blacks and women.

During this period, through her chronicles, she circulated her ideas, principally those linked to questions of education, oppressive policies, the feminine condition, and racial prejudice.

In 1937, under the pseudonym Maria da Ilha, she wrote her book Farrap, os de Ideias (Farrap, those of Ideas) She was a deputy of the Santa Catarina Legislative Assembly in the 1ª legislatura (1935–1937) (List of the state deputies of the Santa Catarina 1st Legislature), aligned with the Partido Liberal Catarinense (PLC) (the Catarinense liberal Party).

The Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina annually awards the "Medalha Antonieta de Barros" (The Antonieta de Barros Medal) to women with relevant service in defense of Catarinense women's rights.

A biography about her was written by author Jarid Arraes as part of her 2015 cordel collection and book Heroínas Negras Brasileiras em 15 cordéis.