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Patricia Graça is passionate about public justice and is very happy to join Citizens for Public Justice to contribute her best efforts and skills during an 8 month maternity leave contract.

Patricia is an internationally trained lawyer from Brazil with a Master of Laws degree from Cornell University (United States). She conducted extensive research on the topic of gender discrimination in the labour market while pursuing her Master of Laws degree.

She has extensive experience in public justice framing of socio-economic policy debates, and a strong sensitivity to gender analysis developed through volunteer work with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, providing non-judgmental and compassionate support to criminalized and at-risk women, men and youth. Patricia also has experience working with women in abusive relationships as a Public Defender Intern at the Federal District Court in Brasilia, Brazil, and as a Community Co-Mediator at the Catholic Immigration Centre in Ottawa.

She is a Halifax Initiative volunteer, engaged in the translation and collection of data, policies and lawsuits from Brazil to generate a report intended to garner the attention of media and decision-makers regarding the environmental, developmental and human rights impacts of a Canadian-owned gold mine situated in Brazil.

Chandra combines her love of learning and a commitment to justice in her work as a policy analyst. Before joining CPJ, she worked in Canadian politics and for an NGO devoted to federalism. She also has experience volunteering on justice related issues at church, school and with community groups.

Chandra has an MA in French from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and an MA in political science from Carleton University. Her research for both degrees focused on women’s electoral representation, and Chandra is passionate about increasing women’s opportunities for electoral success, as well as their full equality in all aspects of life.

Chandra and her husband live in Ottawa, where Chandra is a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church.