Gilka Machado

She became known as one of the first women to write erotic poetry in Brazil; her work is usually classified as symbolist.

At age 14 she participated of a literary contest held by the newspaper A Imprensa, winning the three main prizes with poems under her name and pseudonyms.

[2] The following years, she published the books: A revelação dos perfumes (1916), Estado de alma (1917), Poesias (1915-1917)- (1918) and Mulher Nua, in 1922.

In 1933 she won a contest by the magazine O Malho as the greatest Brazilian woman poet of the 20th century.

[3] As an adult, she supported her family by working for the Rio Railway Company.