Press Release: 7/30/2025

Edna Cabral

 

Alyssa Haywoode

JULY 30, 2025

From a childhood rooted in the natural beauty of the Azores to a career advocating for high-quality early education and family child care (FCC) providers, Edna Cabral’s journey is one of wonder, advocacy, and heart. A proud member of Strategies for Children’s Advocacy Network, she draws on her early childhood experiences and deep community ties to uplift and empower FCC educators.

“Nature was our playground and greatest teacher,” Cabral says of her childhood on São Miguel, one of the lush, green islands in the Azores off the coast of Portugal. “It was a magical experience for me. While we were growing up, we had the freedom to explore our surroundings and let our imaginations run wild. At the same time, we always felt safe—our close-knit community looked out for one another.” 

The wonder and curiosity that shaped Cabral’s childhood stayed with her. 

“My love for learning influenced who I am today and motivated me to actively participate in my children’s education after moving to the United States.” To support their development, she joined the parent-teacher organization and served on a school leadership team, offering a culturally informed perspective. She also led a group of elementary students in the Destination Imagination program, which promoted creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving through hands-on STEM challenges. This experience was a meaningful way for her to nurture her own children’s curiosity, part of what has always been at the heart of her own childhood love for learning.

A lifelong learner, Cabral holds a Lesley University degree in child development, and, to deepen her expertise and advocacy, she’s currently pursuing a master’s in Early Childhood Education at Merrimack College. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, she follows children’s interests and brings the wonder of her own childhood into her program.

“I want to give children the opportunity to experience the same sense of wonder and curiosity that I had in my childhood and later shared with my own children. I believe this can be achieved through playful and engaging experiences, where learning happens naturally because it feels fun. I still love witnessing a child have an ‘aha’ moment; it gives me goosebumps.”

Today, these experiences and Cabral’s values of curiosity and community continue to inspire Cabral, who is a family child care educator at Edna’s Little Garden, which she opened in Massachusetts in 2002. Guided by a passion for advocacy, Cabral is a member of the BIPOC Family Childcare Collective, a safe gathering space for educators of color. And, along with other colleagues, she has conducted research on family child care providers. 

Before the pandemic, Cabral says, she felt fulfilled in her “bubble;” she focused on supporting her children as they completed college and on nurturing the children in her program. The pandemic shifted her perspective and opened up new opportunities and windows. 

“One of those windows that had a profound impact on me, as it allowed me to rediscover and reignite my passion for advocacy, was The 9:30 Call. That’s where I began learning about and connecting with amazing advocates like Gloria Valentin and Paula and Harold.” 

Now, through Strategies for Children’s Cohort 4, Cabral continues to grow her voice—raising awareness about FCCs, engaging with policymakers, and staying grounded in the community. “The key benefits of being part of the Advocacy Network,” Cabral says, “include channeling my voice more effectively and efficiently.”

“When you want to pursue something, have the courage to go for it,” Cabral says. “Have confidence, be aware of your surroundings (as Amy O’Leary has mentioned), and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to others. If you don’t receive the response you hoped for, don’t be discouraged. If you do feel discouraged, don’t let it defeat you.”

Equipped with this mindset, Cabral has participated in Zoom calls with state legislators—including State Senator Jason Lewis, State Senator Cindy Friedman, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll—advocating for family child care providers and high-quality education for all children. She actively networks with policymakers and philanthropists, highlighting the experiences of Portuguese-speaking early educators.

For her Advocacy Network project, Cabral established a WhatsApp group and participates in several others where she shares policy information to keep her colleagues informed and to voice their concerns. Additionally, she conducts workshops for the Portuguese community.

“I share my experiences to help other FCC educators feel confident, supported, and inspired to participate in meetings, workshops, EEC events, and surveys,” Cabral explains. Part of what motivates her is that early in her career, she often felt isolated and unsure of what was happening beyond her program.

“By encouraging participation, we create space for educators to share their lived experiences, concerns, and frustrations. I hope to foster deeper engagement and amplify their voices in the field of early education and care. It’s also about building community—relying on one another, sharing our stories, and embracing vulnerability. The more we share, the more we uplift ourselves, our profession, and the families we serve. That’s how real change begins.”

Cabral is committed to uplifting family child care educators, whose vital contributions often go unseen or under-appreciated. In many cases, this is simply due to a lack of awareness—people may not fully understand what family child care is or recognize the unique strengths and needs of these programs.

Although family child care educators may not always have the “whistles and bells” that come with larger budgets, they offer something significant, Cabral says, a nurturing, home-based environments where children grow, learn, and feel a true sense of belonging.

“We provide children and families with what they truly need: a hug, a warm cup of milk, a cozy story on the couch, or simply someone to listen. The smell of home-cooked meals creates lasting memories. We sit together, share food and conversation, and model empathy, speaking gently when a friend isn’t feeling well. While many programs strive to create a homelike atmosphere, family child care is, in fact, home. We are an extension of each child’s family.”

What does Cabral want policymakers to know about her work? 

“The value we provide to society comes from how we support children and serve as reliable anchors for families who trust us to help raise their children. Parents can go to work worry-free, knowing their little ones are safe, learning, and cared for in an environment that caters to each child’s individual needs, making them feel at home. We understand the financial challenges families face and do our best to support them. Many of the children we care for grow up and later return, bringing their children to the same FCC home that nurtured them.”

Cabral would also like to see state government officials establish systems to help early childhood educators who need access to emotional support and who need the economic protection of health insurance and retirement benefits. Family child care providers also need support in their work with children who are neurodiverse and children who have challenging behaviors. 

Finally, policymakers need to acknowledge that family child care educators frequently make personal sacrifices—keeping costs low and limiting their own earnings—to ensure that the families they serve have access to affordable, high-quality care.

“So many times,” Cabral explains, “our hearts get in the way of our businesses.”