At the age of six her family moved to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon where she would later obtain a managerial position in the Social Security office.
Although she was still working in Lisbon, her husband and his father felt that her managerial experience would make her an ideal mayor, and nominated her for the election.
[2][3][4] Faced with limited resources and a municipality in poor condition, Chambel initially concentrated on improving the water supply and the sewerage system.
Subsequently, she oversaw improvements in the electricity supply, and construction of a fire station, a health centre, social housing and schools.
She won five successive elections and held the position as mayor of Sardoal until 1993, first as an independent supported by the Socialist Party (PS).