She established herself as a historian and writer of the culture, history, and literature of the state of Mato Grosso in the 20th century.
Rodrigues held a chair at the Mato Grosso Academy of Letters, a rarity for a woman at the time.
[3] She taught French and music, performed recitals, and wrote several books about the culture and history of Cuiabá and Mato Grosso.
The family was in good financial condition, and allowed Dunga Rodrigues to travel widely within Brazil and abroad.
[3] Dunga Rodrigues died on January 8, 2001, Three Kings Day, in Santos, São Paulo.