In this edition, we pay special tribute to Judge Maria de Fátima Coêlho Borges Stern, who passed away prematurely last November.
Fátima Stern joined the bench in 1992 as a Substitute Labor Judge in the 5th Region (BA). She was an exemplary judge, respected and admired by colleagues, lawyers, and civil servants alike, for her unfailingly kind, thoughtful, and generous demeanor.
She made an extraordinary contribution to the labor courts' associations, serving as Vice-President of the Association of Labor Court Judges of the 5th Region (Amatra 5) from 2001 to 2003 and President of the same regional entity from 2003 to 2005 and 2005 to 2007.
Thanks to her projection, recognized without a shadow of a doubt among Brazilian labor law magistrates, she was director, for three consecutive terms, of the National Association of Labor Court Magistrates (Anamatra): initially in the Social Communication Directorate (2005/2007); then, as Director of Education and Culture (2007/2009) and, finally, as Secretary-General (2009/2011).
During this period, Fátima was responsible for numerous initiatives as head of the boards she served on, including the revitalization of the Anamatra Ombudsman's Office, a true channel of communication between society and the judiciary; the organization of several events, such as the 1st Conference on Substantive and Procedural Law of the Labor Court, the National Congresses of Labor Judges (CONAMATs), and the Anamatra International Congresses of this period; the creation of the program "Trabalho em Revista," broadcast on TV Justiça; and the dissemination of the program "Trabalho, Justiça e Cidadania," which consists of Anamatra's work, through its associate judges, with elementary and secondary schools, youth and adult schools, and technical and vocational courses, bringing information on ethics, work, consumption, and citizenship to the communities, through its trainers.
Due to her tireless and consistently relevant participation in judicial activities and social causes, she received the Medal of Judicial Merit from the Regional Labor Court of the 5th Region and the Order of Merit of Labor, in the Official category, awarded by the Superior Labor Court.
However, it is her work as head of the Labor Law and Procedure Journal that leads us to remember Fátima Stern's entire career. As Director of Education and Culture, Fátima propelled the Journal—which grew even further in quality, with her inexhaustible energy and passion for disseminating knowledge. As head of the Editorial Board, Fátima masterfully engaged with her colleagues who had the honor and pleasure of sharing this task, many of whom still make up the group she organized at the time.
Fátima Stern's contribution to the development of this periodical will always be remembered by those who, like us, enjoyed her friendship and knew this true warrior, who now rests in peace and is deeply missed.
The Editorial Board