Coelho Simone de Castro Tavares author Columbia University. Institute of Latin American Studies originator text Presentations 2009 English During the eighties, Ruth promoted discussions with her group of supervised students, that focused. on investigating the grass-roots organizations of the Brazilian society. By then, we had already understood - differently from most analysts - that the social change would not occur based exclusively on a partylike action, but it should also require the efforts of the organized society. As a matter of fact, many of the social movements of this time went through a process of institutionalization, becoming legal organizations, and allowing the formalization of partnerships with governmental agencies easier and feasible. Presented at the New York City Consortium for Latin American Studies conference, "Ruth Cardoso: A Tribute," Columbia University, April 9-10, 2009. Latin American studies