Emília Teresinha Xavier Fernandes (born 18 July 1949) is a Brazilian politician affiliated with the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).

She began her political career contesting as councilor in her hometown in the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB).

She resigned as a councilor and took her seat in the senate in February 1995, becoming a member of the social affairs committee and vice president of the house's education commission.

[1] Fernandes tenure at the senate was expected to finish on 1 February 2003, but she resigned on 1 January 2003 to assume the post of Minister of the Special Secretariat of Policy for Women in President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tenure.

However, in February 2009 she took office due to the death of the incumbent Adão Pretto and also ran the following year.