Title and statement of responsibility area
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Textual record
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1970-2011 (Creation)
- Creator
- Anna Maria de Souza
Physical description area
Physical description
2 m of textual records
80 photographs : most col. prints ; 21.5 x 28 cm and smaller
12 photographs : col. slides ; 35mm
30 mounted plaques and awards
4 objects (decorative baton, silver platter, letter opener, wall hanging)
1 framed painting and textual record ; 40 x 69 x 1 cm
1 sculpture : stone bird on wood base ; 35 x 20 x 16 cm
1 sculpture : brass gondola comb ; 66 x 23 x 9.5 cm
2 videocassettes : VHS
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Anna Maria de Souza (formerly Marston, nee Guidi) ([194-?]-2007) was a prominent Toronto philanthropist and volunteer known for founding the Brazilian Carnival Ball, an annual fundraising gala that raised money for charities and causes in Toronto and Brazil.
Born in São Sebastião do Paraíso, Brazil, de Souza moved to Toronto in 1965 with her husband, John Marston. She founded and held the first Brazilian Carnival Ball the following year in 1966, with the inaugural event held in the basement of the St. Agnes [Santa Ines] Church in Toronto.
Over the course of it’s 46-year history (1966-2012), the Brazilian Carnival Ball cumulatively raised over $57 million. Beneficiaries were selected each year by Anna Maria de Souza and have included universities, hospitals, arts organizations, and other causes. Examples have included York University, the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Ball was held in several venues throughout Toronto over the course of its history, including The Four Seasons Hotel and later the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from the late 1980s onwards. The Ball continued for a short number of years after Anna Maria died in 2007, with the final event held in 2012.
In addition to her work with the Brazilian Carnival Ball, de Souza also worked as the curator of the Henry Birks Collection of antique Canadian silver in the late 1970s and volunteered her time with several charitable foundations and boards, including the Women’s Committee of the Canadian Opera Company. Following her divorce from John Marston, she would later remarry in 1982 to Ivan de Souza, a prominent Toronto investment banker. Both Anna Maria de Souza and Ivan de Souza were recognized for their dedication and charitable work in May 2008 when the Government of Ontario announced a $15 million grant to establish the de Souza Institute, an organization that provides support and training for healthcare professionals.
Anna Maria de Souza’s meaningful philanthropic work has been recognized with numerous awards, certificates, and plaques of appreciation throughout her life. These include the Award of Merit by the City of Toronto (1987), the Order of Rio Branco (1995), and the Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of records created and accumulated by Anna Maria de Souza, predominantly pertaining to her work as founder and organizer of the Brazilian Carnival Ball. Records include articles and clippings from Toronto and Brazilian newspapers and magazines discussing Anna Maria de Souza’s work as a volunteer and philanthropist in connection with the annual Brazilian Carnival Ball; correspondence expressing appreciation for her work, and in particular from individuals representing charitable organizations that benefited from the Brazilian Carnival Ball; documentation regarding her nomination for and presentation with various recognitions and awards in Canada and Brazil (including the Order of Rio Branco in 1995); illuminated certificates, awards, and framed and sculpted plaques presented to Anna Maria de Souza; documentation of planning activities for the Brazilian Carnival Ball and other charitable events, including the Opera Ball; photographs of Anna Maria de Souza at the Brazilian Carnival Ball with her husband Ivan de Souza and various guests; and scrapbooks and other memorabilia. Two objects presented to Anna Maria’s husband, Ivan de Souza, (including the International Friends of Brazil Award, 2011) are also included.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated by Ivan de Souza, 2008, 2014.
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
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Associated materials
Accruals
The fonds comprises the following accessions: 2008-049 and 2014-047. No further accruals are expected.
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Name access points
- Brazilian Carnival Ball (Subject)
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Dates of creation, revision and deletion
2026/02/23 C. McDayter. Migrated file inventory for 2008 accession from EES to AtoM. Revised fonds level description to include accession 2014-047 and added series level arrangement.