Amy Purdy’s Carnival Costume

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2017

In 2017, U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, invited dancer and Paralympian Amy Purdy to represent the U.S. as a cultural envoy during the annual Carnival celebrations. Amy is a double amputee who danced in the opening of the Paralympics, won a snowboarding bronze in 2014, was a runner up in Dancing with the Stars, and is a well-respected motivational speaker. She participated in the U.S. Consulate General Rio’s partnership with the samba school Unidos da Tijuca. Amy promoted the shared U.S.-Brazilian musical heritage and messages focused on disability rights and women’s empowerment. She wore this rhinestone studded costume which is a reminder of the importance of innovative public diplomacy, in this case using the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival to promote rights of people with disabilities. The costume was the first-ever designed for a double-amputee athlete/dancer during Carnival.

  • Source/Credit: Transfer from U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Catalog Number: 2017.0021.01
  • Created: 2017
  • Acquired: 2017

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Amy Purdy's Carnival Costume . 2017. National Museum of American Diplomacy, https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/amy-purdys-carnival-costume

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Amy Purdy's Carnival Costume , 2017, National Museum of American Diplomacy, Washington, DC, https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/amy-purdys-carnival-costume

APA Format

(2017). Amy Purdy's Carnival Costume [Object]. National Museum of American Diplomacy, Washington, D.C., United States. https://diplomacy.state.gov/items/amy-purdys-carnival-costume

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