Francisca Senhorinha da Motta Diniz

Francisca Senhorinha da Motta Diniz, also known as Francisca Diniz (? in São João del Rey, Minas Gerais – ? in Campanha, Minas Gerais), was a Brazilian teacher who played an important role in feminism. She founded a newspaper entitled O Sexo feminino.

The weekly newspaper was aimed toward promoting the need for education of women and alerting them that their enemy was ignorance imposed by male culture. She argued that Brazilian problems would be solved with a greater and more effective participation of women in society. The most violent and strenuous activities should be left for men and the lighter and more intellectual ones for women.

The newspaper was an early advocate of female suffrage. With the proclamation of the Republic and the end of the Monarchy, only literate men were allowed to vote. In protest against segregation, the journal changed its name to O Quinze de Novembro do Sexo Feminino, bringing a broader perspective to the discussion of suffrage.