In Brazil, the term “gringo” refers to any person who isn’t from Brazil. Let’s take a look at the American gringas who’ve been in Brazil recently.

• Reese Witherspoon, the Global Ambassador of “Speak Out Against Domestic Violence,” was in São Paulo last week. She was there to promote the joint campaign between Avon and the UN Development Fund for Women in Latin America, as well as bracelets to promote the campaign. She gave one of the bracelets to Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes, a paraplegic Brazilian woman who became the center of the domestic violence debate and whose case helped push legislation to protect battered women.
• Julianne Moore was in Brazil last week to promote her new movie, “Blindness.” She came with her children and spent several days in the Amazon and São Paulo before visiting Rio for the premiere and some sightseeing.
• Madonna will be in Brazil in December, where she will be on tour. She will perform at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium and at Estádio de Morumbi in São Paulo.