Maya Angelou, one of the most renowned poets and authors during the 20th and 21st centuries, passed away on May 28th, 2014. Born in St.Louis, Missouri, in 1928, Angelou’s life was filled with remarkable career successes, including authoring seven autobiographies and over thirty published books, numerous awards for her literary works, teaching at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, winning the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and becoming a spokesperson for civil rights. Despite her successful life, her passing was devastating to the literary world.
Angelou’s passing was a result of a combination of health-related issues. According to her son, Guy Johnson, she was admitted to a care facility due to an undisclosed illness earlier in 2014. On May 24th, days before her passing, her son gained power of attorney to make medical decisions on her behalf.
In the days leading up to Angelou’s death, she was visited in the medical facility by a number of her close friends and family members to offer their final goodbyes. She passed away the next day, at the age of 86.
In light of the news, there was an outpouring of love and loss from Angelou’s devoted fan base. Immediately after her passing, many of her fans took to Twitter and other social media platforms to share statements and memories of the prolific poet.
As a testament to Angelou’s memory and her remarkable literary works, May 28th was declared by the President of the United States to be “National Maya Angelou Day”. During the celebration, Maya Angelou was celebrated in numerous classrooms, libraries, places of worship, and book clubs around the country.
At the start of 2015, the University of Arkansas established “The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity”, with the goal of addressing social injustices that contribute to poor health, poverty, and disparities experienced by disadvantaged communities.
The sad passing of Maya Angelou has left a palpable void in the world of poetry, but her legacy lives on. She not only left the world an extraordinary collection of literary works, but also inspired a generation of writers to follow in her footsteps.
Novels and Nonfiction Works
One of Angelou’s most well-known novels, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, has since become a literary classic and has inspired many other poets and authors. Written in 1969, it was the first of an autobiographical series of novels and is widely considered to be a groundbreaking work of fiction. The novel was shortly followed by a collection of essays, essays, and poetry, entitled ‘Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie’, which was published in 1971 and is remembered for its unique insights and moving stories about Angelou’s life.
Aside from her autobiographical works, Angelou’s collection of essays, books, and poetry included numerous other diverse topics, such as civil rights, racism, and women’s issues. One of these works, Mom & Me & Mom, was released in 2013 and explores the tumultuous relationship between Angelou and her mother. The book, which was a bestseller, gave unvarnished insight into the author’s life and her relationship with her mother.
In addition to her written works, Angelou also produced several spoken word albums, which received critical acclaim, including The premier album, ‘Miss Calypso’, which was released in 1957. The album paved the way for future spoken word albums to be popular in the United States.
Not content with his success as an author, Angelou also tried her hand in many other fields, including singing, dancing, and acting. She was most famous for her role in the movie Georgia, Georgia, which showed her experimenting with hip hop music.
Angelou’s remarkable collection of works serve as a reminder of her formidable presence in the literary world and her remarkable talent as a writer.
Inspirational Works and Legacy
Angelou was a powerful advocate for social justice and equality, whose writing was filled with moral insights and a deep yearning for justice. This commitment to social justice influenced her life and her works, which strongly promoted racial justice, gender equality, and human rights.
In 1993, Angelou was invited to compose and recite a poem for the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Her poem ‘On the Pulse of Morning’ celebrated the progress of civil rights and highlighted the diversity of American cultures.
In addition to influencing millions with her words, Angelou was a role model for many who strived to emulate her incredible career. Her wisdom, wit and courage encouraged countless individuals to persevere even in the most difficult times.
Impressively, Angelou was also a mentor to many; she was the first African-American academic to teach at Wake Forest University. Throughout her lifetime she also held a number of honorary positions such as the Reynolds Chair of American Studies at Wake Forest University and the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest.
Over the course of her career, Angelou also received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts. These honors were just a fraction of her overall accomplishments, and serve as a testament to her continued impact on the world.
Awards and Nominations
Maya Angelou was recognized and awarded numerous honors over the course of her distinguished literary career, from the Pulitzer Prize to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1971, Angelou was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for her collection of essays ‘Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water ‘Fore I Diiie’. The same year she was nominated for a National Book Award for her novel I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.
Other notable awards and nominations given to Angelou include her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993, and her appearance in one of President Obama’s artistic tributes. Angelou also served on several boards and received numerous honorary degrees. In 2000, she received the highest civilian honor in the United States–the presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2013, she received the National Medal of Arts.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was just one of the many honors awarded to Angelou in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the literary world. Her legacy continues to inspire others, making her one of the most beloved and respected poets of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Maya Angelou’s Words of Wisdom
Angelou’s life was as remarkable as her words. Over the years, she shared her wisdom with the world through her writing, speeches, and interviews. Her words of wisdom touched millions of people across the globe.
Perhaps Angelou’s most famous quote was one of her most beloved: ‘‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude’’. This quote succinctly captures Angelou’s philosophy on life and her courage to face her problems head on.
In addition to this memorable quote, Angelou was funny and thoughtful. One of her notable quips was ‘‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’’. This statement served as a reminder that thoughtfulness and kindness will always be remembered.
Her words of wisdom motivated and inspired people to work towards their goals, empathize others and make a difference in the world. For this, her words will remain timeless.
Literary Impact
Maya Angelou has made an enormous impact on literature, and her body of work is praised for its boldness, honesty and depth. As one of the most iconic African-American writers of all time, her books have been required reading in high school and college curricula. One of her most enduring works, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, is still frequently quoted and cited today.
Angelou’s unique blend of autobiography, poetry and prose is particularly notable, and she is often credited for incorporating the spoken word into literature. Her strong voice, combined with her penetrating insights, made her writing standout and timeless.
Angelou’s writing has also been an inspiration for many contemporary authors, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Roxane Gay. Many authors have also credited Angelou with paving the way for a more diverse set of voices to be heard in writing.
Angelou has left an indelible mark on the literary world, and her passing in 2014 left a void that can only be partially filled. Still, her works remain a testament to her lasting legacy in literature and society as a whole.
