Virgina Neves Gonsalves papers (MSS-0084)

Biographical/Historical Note

Virginia Neves Gonsalves was born in 1939 in Brava, Cape Verde to Manuel J. and Candida Neves Gonsalves. At the age of nine, she immigrated with her mother to the United States, joining her father and brother in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduating from Rogers High School in 1958, Gonsalves attended Salve Regina University. In 1962, she graduated with a BA and later created endowed scholarships at both schools. Already fluent in Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish, Gonsalves pursued two masters degrees, one in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin and the other in Portuguese from Marquette University. Her combined skills were beneficial in her early career as a bilingual resource teacher and later as the head of the language department at Hope High School. Additionally, Gonsalves utilized her knowledge as a translator for visiting dignitaries, courts, clinics, and friends.

Gonsalves was widely recognized as a leader by the Cape Verdean American community. She was a founding member of the Cape Verdean American Federation and the first vice president and founding member of the American Association for the Development of Cape Verde. In addition to serving as a board member, she helped create the Cape Verde Museum, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she volunteered weekly as a docent. As a community leader, Gonsalves planned and created a wide range of events, programs, and services to better her community ranging from visits from Cape Verdean dignitaries, educational conferences, and classroom language materials. Gonsalves was instrumental in creating the Cape Verdean Connection exhibition in the 1995 Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife. Recognizing her efforts, Gonsalves was awarded the honoree of the 2018 Poderosa conference, an annual conference for Cape Verdean Women. On June 29th, 2023, Gonsalves passed away in Providence, Rhode Island.