I believe that Brazil was prepared to elect a woman. Why? Because Brazilian women achieved that. I didn't come here by myself, by my own merits. We are a majority here in this country.

Dilma is less popular with the Brazilian LGBT social movements than expected from a left-wing president and an often cited reason is that there are many instances in the government's balance of power where disagreements with the right-wing factions may have side effects (for instance despite the fact that Brazil is a secular state religion in politics is openly discussed with the best example being the bancada evangélica a collective for the Evangelical and Pentecostal Congressmen). In 1969 VAR Palmares allegedly planned the kidnapping of Antônio Delfim Netto a symbol of the "Brazilian Miracle" and the most powerful civilian in the federal government at the time. Rousseff was considered a big enough catch that a military prosecutor labeled her the "Joan of Arc" of the guerrilla movement.

She is the first woman to hold the office. Both helped found the Democratic Labour Party (PDT) in Rio Grande do Sul participating in several of the party's electoral campaigns. Rousseff took over the post remaining in office until 31 March 2010 when Dilma Rousseff left in order to run for President.