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Throughout its history, feminism in Brazil has been characterized by a strong heterogeneity in its social composition and political strategies. It is identified as a movement with various expressions. This is why it is a “total collective” with a plural and heterogeneous character. This article presents some reflections from exploratory research on five Brazilian autonomous collectives. Examining the processes of institutionalization and “ONGization” as well as the links between feminist groups and governments, the authors analyse the context of emergence of autonomous organizations and the radical criticisms carried by these groups. The article highlights the formation of a feminist consciousness, forms of organization and political representation as well as new expressions of militancy in Brazil.