Sophia Raia
Sophia is an aspiring producer majoring in Performance Studies with minors in Film Production and the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. A passionate storyteller, avid reader, and self-proclaimed movie geek, she believes that curiosity and narrative are powerful forces for change. Her training in Performance Studies has instilled in her the habit of asking critical questions—primarily about the role of the Latin American woman in contemporary society—and fighting for the answers, both on and off camera. Whether working on independent films, advertising campaigns, or large-scale studio productions, Sophia is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices, and telling stories that matter.
Title of Capstone Project
Brazilian Babás: The Silent Mothers of American Childhoods
Description of Capstone Project
Much scholarly and cultural attention is given to the women who give birth to us, raise us, and share our bloodlines—our mothers, grandmothers, and matriarchal ancestors. Yet, far less is said about the women who are paid to care for us, and who, through the nature of their labor, come to occupy maternal roles in our lives. In Brazil, nannying has long been a prevalent source of employment for women from lower-income communities. As Brazilian migration to the American East Coast has increased over the past decades, so too has the demand for Brazilian nannies among upper-class families.
Brazilian Babás: The Silent Mothers of American Childhoods investigates the emotional and cultural labor of Brazilian nannies in the U.S., asking: How many young adults raised in Manhattan were shaped, in part, by a Brazilian caregiver? What enables these women to foster deep emotional bonds that transcend language and cultural barriers? And why is language often not a barrier in the nanny-child relationship, yet a limitation when it comes to advocating for better working conditions?
Drawing on interviews, archival research, and cultural analysis, the project examines how Brazilian cultural values of care, warmth, and familial closeness become embedded in caregiving practices abroad. At the same time, it considers how the labor of Brazilian nannies—often underpaid, racialized, and undocumented—reflects a legacy of social inequality that migrates with them.
What Inspired Your Project?
In order for my mother to be a financially autonomous, actress, dancer and producer—someone I admire deeply—another woman had to be there to take me to school, put me to bed on school nights, and accompany me to extracurricular activities while my mother worked. That woman was Regina Célia da Silva, or as I lovingly called her, Bá. Born in the state of Minas Gerais, Bá moved to Rio de Janeiro at age 15 to work as a nanny. She joined our family when my mother was pregnant with my older brother, and as he grew older, she began caring for me exclusively. For 25 years she worked with us; for 18, she helped to raise me.
In 2020, Bá tragically passed away due to COVID-19. I dedicate this project to her—a woman of extraordinary strength and quiet resilience, whose love, care, and presence shaped the foundation of our family. She brought light, warmth, and unwavering support into our home. Her absence is deeply felt. I carry her with me—always.