Maya Angelou was a renowned author, poet and civil rights activist, who passed away in 2014. Many people know her work, but may not be aware of the siblings that she had in her life. It is known that Angelou had two siblings during her lifetime, an older brother named Bailey Johnson Jr., and an older sister, Valerie Coggins. In this article, we will take a closer look at these two siblings and their relationships with Angelou.
Bailey Johnson Jr. was Angelou’s older brother. He was nicknamed, ‘Brother’, throughout his life. Throughout their lives, Johnson and Angelou enjoyed a very close relationship, despite his difficult relationship with their parents. The two siblings shared a deep bond and often wrote letters to each other. Johnson worked hard to secure a good job at a chain of department stores and eventually became successful in the workplace. Angelou was immensely proud of her brother for all the hard work he put in.
Valerie Coggins was Angelou’s older sister. She was nicknamed, ‘Sister’, throughout her life. Although the two were far apart geographically, they remained close. Angelou and Coggins stayed connected by access to mail, telephone and later on, the internet. They often wrote and emailed each other, and they had a natural affinity for each other. Angelou and Coggins traveled together on many occasions and visited each other in their respective homes. In their later years, they remained close and cherished their bond even more.
Maya Angelou and her two siblings, Johnson and Coggins, had a unique dynamic between them. Johnson and Coggins often offered Angelou advice on her writing, and it was clear that they shared a special relationship with each other. Angelou also spoke of the importance of siblings to her, as she said in one of her interviews, “My brother and sister have provided the love and support that I will never forget.”
Though Maya Angelou only had two siblings during her lifetime, their presence in her life meant a lot to the icon. They were important influences in her life and remained close until the day she passed away in 2014.
The Influence of Siblings on Maya Angelou
It is evident that Angelou’s two siblings had a great influence on her life. From a young age, Johnson and Coggins provided Angelou with advice and guidance. Johnson was instrumental in motivating Angelou to pursue her dreams, while Coggins was instrumental in providing her the necessary time and space to write. By having Johnson and Coggins in her life, Angelou was able to make difficult decisions and forge a successful career as a poet, author and civil rights activist.
Moreover, Johnson and Coggins provided Angelou with a familial connection and an unconditional bond. With Johnson and Coggins in her life, Angelou never felt alone and always felt empowered to make her own decisions. That bond encouraged her to take risks, to follow her dreams and to reach for success.
Angelou was quick to acknowledge the impact that her two siblings had on her life and on her work. She once said, “My brother and sister are the greatest gifts I could ask for. They provided the love and support I needed to pursue my dreams.” Through this quotation, it is clear that Angelou felt deeply grateful for having Johnson and Coggins in her life.
The Role of Siblings in Maya Angelou’s Writing
It is evident that Angelou’s two siblings also played an important role in her writing. In Angelou’s autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, it is evident that Johnson and Coggins were both significant influences on her work. Johnson’s presence in Angelou’s life provided her with the intellectual stimulation and motivation to pursue her dreams, while Coggins’ presence in Angelou’s life provided the emotional stability and the necessary time and space to write her books and poems.
Moreover, Johnson and Coggins were instrumental in providing Angelou with constructive feedback on her writing. Johnson often offered Angelou advice on overcoming her writer’s block, while Coggins often gave her comments on her drafts of her manuscripts. Through their feedback and guidance, Angelou was able to produce some of her finest pieces of work, including her famous collection of poems, A Brave and Startling Truth.
It is clear that Johnson and Coggins had a great impact on Angelou’s writing. Without their feedback and guidance, it is difficult to imagine Angelou achieving the level of success that she eventually did.
The Legacy of Maya Angelou’s Siblings
Despite the fact that Angelou had only two siblings during her lifetime, their presence in her life was significant. As mentioned before, Johnson and Coggins provided Angelou with the emotional and intellectual guidance and support to pursue her dreams. Without Johnson and Coggins in Angelou’s life, it is hard to imagine her achieving the level of success that she did.
Apart from providing emotional and intellectual guidance, Johnson and Coggins left behind a legacy that still continues to this day. Johnson and Coggins formed a deep bond with Angelou and that bond continues to live on in the works of Angelou. Many of her famous pieces still draw heavily on the influence of Johnson and Coggins, and their presence in Angelou’s life.
Finally, Johnson and Coggins have also left behind a legacy of unconditional love. Through their bond with Angelou, the two siblings have shown the world the potential of a sibling relationship and the power of love and support that it can bring.
How Maya Angelou’s Siblings Influenced Popular Culture
Angelou’s two siblings have also had a great impact on popular culture. Through Angelou’s work, Johnson and Coggins have become household names and their presence has been felt in many different spaces around the world. Angelou’s works often make references to her two siblings, and their presence has been a source of inspiration for many writers and poets.
Moreover, Angelou’s works have also served as a reminder of the importance of siblings in our lives. By reflecting on Johnson and Coggins’s bond with Angelou, many people have been reminded of the importance of having a strong bond with their siblings. This, in turn, has resulted in many people cherishing their relationships with their siblings even more.
In conclusion, it is clear that Angelou’s two siblings had a profound influence on her life, on her work and in popular culture. Their legacy lives on in her works and they will be remembered as two of the people who made a lasting impact on the iconic poet and author.
