Maya Angelou’s upbringing was far from conventional—it was a life marked by racism, sexism, and poverty, as well as moments of love and beauty. Born in St. Louis in 1928, Maya, who was named Marguerite Johnson at birth, endured a troubled family life. When she was three, Maya and her older brother were sent to live with their grandmother, Annie Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas, where they spent their formative years before eventually returning to their birth mother in St. Louis.
At the tender age of eight, Maya experienced a traumatic event when she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. After the incident, she stopped speaking for several years, providing evidence of the devastating effect of violence on children. Despite this trauma, she was wise beyond her years and loved learning; her grandmother instilled in her a strong belief in the power of education, as evidenced by the support of her great-aunt who encouraged her to attend a local African American school for girls.
Maya’s passion for writing was sparked when she overheard a conversation between two people discussing the importance of authorship. She used her life experiences to explore topics such as race, gender and oppression. She expressed her views through her powerful poetry, novels, plays and essays, which broke through the barriers of cultural and societal standards in the mid-20th century. Her books, which often explored difficult topics, provided readers with an intimate view of her life’s struggles.
In her teen years, Maya moved to San Francisco to live with her mother and got a job in a record store. Her career as a writer flourished in San Francisco, as she wrote for many newspapers and magazines, including the African Review, the San Francisco Sun-Reporter, and The Langston Hughes Review. She also became an ambassador for the peace movement, working with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X.
In the late 1960’s, Maya joined the Harlem Writers Guild and formed the “Sisterhood,” a literary group composed of black women writers. This was during a time when black women’s voices were seldom heard, and she was determined to become a symbol of strength and courage for them. It was through her books that she was able to share her journey and make sure that they—and all people—knew they were important.
Maya Angelou’s life story is an inspiring example of how you can find happiness and success even in the darkest of circumstances. As a CHildren’s book author, poet, television presenter, director and activist, she became an iconic figure in the fight for freedom and justice for all. Her remarkable life and legacy will always be remembered as an example of how adversity can be met with strength and resilience.
Education and Literacy
At a young age, Maya developed a love for literature, primarily through being surrounded by strong female influences in her family. Maya’s great-uncle, Reverend Willie Henderson, was the first person who motivated her to become a writer. He often gave her books to read, and she was especially fond of Shakespeare and Dickinson. In her youth, Maya attended the local African-American school, California Performance School, and Myrtle Point Elementary School. Through their assistance, her love for books grew stronger and her reading skills improved. Her grandmother and mother also taught her valuable lessons throughout her childhood, such as helping her understand the importance of strong self-discipline and honoring one’s ancestral history.
Her education was vital to her success as a writer, and she actively sought out a wealth of knowledge; her reading included many works such as those of Shakespeare, Aristotle, and a variety of African authors. Despite having had to balance a full-time job and motherhood in addition to her schooling, Maya became the first black female member of the San Francisco News Staff, and enrolled in classes at the California Labor School. Education also played an important role in other aspects of her life, as she later became an English professor at Wake Forest University, and an honorary chancellor of ‘the American Poets Corner’ at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York.
Maya learned early on that education is invaluable, and education has continued to be a key focus of her efforts to empower those around her. Through her work, Maya was able to fight against illiteracy, racial ignorance, and poverty. During her time as the Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, she also founded the ‘Reynolds Lectureship Series’ to bring greater opportunities and awareness to students, especially of African American writers.
Throughout Maya Angelou’s life, she made it her mission to emphasize the importance of literacy and education. As one of the most successful writers of her time, she has demonstrated the power of the written word to empower, inspire and educate future generations.
Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and Activism
Maya Angelou was directly involved in the Civil Rights Movement, found a way to use her talents to actively further the rights of people of color and other marginalized groups. During the mid-1960s she worked as the Northern Coordinator for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and also served on the Board of Directors of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Her involvement in SCLC was mainly devoted to helping organize the Poor People’s Campaign, focused on providing aid and relief to those living in poverty.
In addition to her involvement in SCLC, Angelou used her writing to fight against inequalities. In 1969, Angelou published her first book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I DIe, providing an honest account of the racism and abuse she had faced as a black woman. With her work, she spoke truth to power and highlighted topics such as African-American identity and unifying efforts to improve the rights of all African-Americans. In 1977, she was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her work.
In her later years, Angelou dedicated her time to encouraging the celebration of diverse cultures and backgrounds. She was involved in various initiatives such as The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, which was devoted to encouraging the African-American community to adopt healthy lifestyles. In addition, Angelou served on the board of the recording company Putumayo World Music, aimed at introducing cultures from around the world to the general public in an effort to foster understanding and appreciation. She also sat on the boards of numerous organizations, such as the Harlem’s Children’s Zone, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Maya Angelou’s commitment to fighting for the rights of all people is a testament to her dedication to a just and equitable society. Through her activism, writing and involvement in various organizations, she used her platform to spread awareness of the oppression she faced and inspire people to stand up for the rights of themselves and those around them.
Impact As a Writer
Angelou was a highly regarded poet, acclaimed novelist, and powerful orator. Through her art, Maya Angelou was able to capture the essence of the African-American experience and celebrate its beauty. Angelou’s way with words made her one of the most celebrated writers of her time. She was the first black woman to have her work broadcast on national television, and was the first African-American and first female writer-in-residence of the African-American Studies Department of the Wake Forest University.
After her term ended at the Cinque Foundation, Angelou became a lightning rod for the debate over the scope and breadth of black studies. Her books were widely acclaimed for their insight into the everyday struggles of people of color and the resilience of the human spirit. During this time, she wrote several autobiographies of her life experiences, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Gather Together in My Name. Both were met with critical acclaim and were on the New York Times Bestseller list for several months.
In addition to her literary endeavors, Angelou also held various political posts, performing at presidential inaugurations, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations and being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout her lifetime, her work spoke to a range of issues such as with civil rights, racial inequality, violence, and racism. Her voice resonated with readers and her words touched the lives of many.
Legacy
Throughout her lifetime, Maya Angelou was a giant in the literary world, an advocate for civil rights and an icon for the African-American community. Her determination and spirit for justice were seen in everything she did, and her willingness to share her experiences and stories will resonate for generations. She was celebrated for her unapologetic spirit and her dedication to standing up and speaking out against what she thought was wrong. Angelou’s legacy is one of courage and strength, and she acted as a powerful role model for many generations.
Angelou was able to connect with her readers through her poetry and prose. Her work solidified her place in the literary world by influencing generations of readers and inspiring others to tell, seek, and embrace their own stories—pushing readers to find themselves in her words and seek solace and strength in them. Her words united peoples, cultures, and countries and created a platform for individuals who often felt voiceless. Angelou was committed to continuing her mission of using her unique platform to bring about meaningful change by using her voice to uplift more people.
Throughout her lifetime, Maya Angelou demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Her poetry, prose, and activism provided a powerful platform for the oppressed and people of color. Her words inspired millions and her legacy will live on for generations to come. She will be remembered as an icon of inspiration and strength and her work will continue to encourage future generations to be politically engaged and to use their voice to speak truth to power.
