How Tall Was Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was, undoubtedly, an iconic poet, author, and civil rights activist. She became known, acclaim, and admired for her unflinching willingness to speak her truth. Additionally, speculations were always rife about how tall Maya Angelou was. Many agree that she must have stood at a striking height. A thorough research of her life revealed her exact height to be six feet tall.

It’s been said that Angelou was as big personality who was proud of her tall body and stature. During her lifetime, she had always made references to her tall and imposing stature in interviews and poetry. Through doing this Angelou was sending out a message to women of color, to be proud of who they are and their body image.

In her own words, Angelou stated, “Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, ‘I’m with you kid. Let’s go.’ I’m tall. I’m 6 feet tall. That’s tall. But I’m no giant, you know. I’m just tall.”

Upon close examination of many photographs and videos of Angelou, it is hard to dispute that she refused to slouch or attempt to appear shorter, even when standing next to other people who are much shorter. Cosmopolitan magazine recalls that “In almost all of her pictures, she stands ramrod-straight and proud, with a steady gaze and arms akimbo, like a professor who won’t wear tweed,”

However, even with her impressive stature, it’s been said that Angelou was as gentle, loving, and as kind as an individual can be. Such was Maya Angelou’s respect for beauty and uniqueness of every person in her midst.

In conclusion, it’s been established that Maya Angelou stood tall at a height of six feet. In addition to being an encyclopedia of powerful words and inspirational works, she served as a symbol of resilience, confidence, and remarkable sense of self-worth without fail.

Maya Angelou’s Legacy

Maya Angelou left a remarkable legacy that continues to serve as an inspiration to many people around the globe. She was an advocate of justice, equality, and respect. Her outlook on life was profound, and frequently encouraged individuals to have the courage to explore themselves and be the best version of themselves.

As a renowned poet, Angelou was a master of words who used her expansive vocabulary to inspire people. She enjoyed gathering and assimilating words to craft her writings. In her 1984 poem “Still I Rise,” Angelou implored women to stay empowered amidst the patriarchy.

Angelou’s artwork extended beyond her poetic musings. She starred alongside Richard Pryor, Cicely Tyson, and Martha Williamson in the 1980s. She was involved in several philanthropic causes, including charities related to HIV/AIDS, homelessness, breast cancer, juvenile diabetes, and much more.

As one of the most influential figures in American history, Angelou was awarded countless accolades. She received the 1977 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Album for her collection of autographical stories. In 2010, she was appointed a Reynolds Professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a position she held until her death.

Additionally, Angelou was bestowed numerous honorary degrees from prestigious universities, including Harvard and Yale. She traveled the world, receiving global recognition and praise for her many works that soon grew from poetry to novels and screenplays. Some of her most notable books include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Gather Together in My Name.

Multiple Facets of Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was a woman of many facets and interests. From her days as a singer, dancer and civil rights activist to her time as a professor, poet and an outstanding author, Angelou’s life was full of accomplishments.

Angelou confounded expectations, not being placed in the romanticized categories of either her black poet peers or her white literary colleagues. Rather, she boldly journeyed through life as a roving wonder. She stepped up, created, and presented herself as a leader in movements and civil action that pushed for understanding, healing and love.

Angelou even explored the realm of acting, having directing credits in movies and guest-starring, as well as regular roles, in television. Interestingly, Angelou served as a chef for, Frances O’Connor, wife of boxer and political activist, Hugh O’Connor, in Egypt for two years. She was also an editor at the African Review.

Maya Angelou had a vast range of knowledge and experience, working as an administrator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and lecturing at both Wake Forest University and various colleges and universities throughout the country. Her vast knowledge and multifaceted richness enabled her to reach out to many audiences through a myriad of medium.

The Beauty of Maya Angelou’s Poetry

Maya Angelou was a highly influential literary figure, known more widely for her mentorship and poetic elements in her writings. Her influence and works proved to explore the depths of human emotion, with the maxim of ‘life’s lessons’ encapsulating her honesty. Consequently, those that shared and followed her philosophies, felt personally and profoundly inspired.

Angelou’s upbringing and religious background influenced her writing, shaping the way in which she wrote and conveyed her messages. Within her most frequently quoted anthology, ‘I know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, her lessons on personal struggles and hope featured carefully edited words that seamlessly wove together to form an incredibly uplifting poem.

The passion and beauty of her poetic style and distinctive voice is renowned and admired throughout the world. Her words continued to offer a sense of hope and comfort to many, with the magnifying truth of being vulnerable and embracing your feelings being fundamental to Angelou’s mighty works.

Influence of Maya Angelou

The influence of Maya Angelou reflected through not only her works, but by through personal stories that she began to share at a young age. A newfound enthusiasm for writing was present throughout her lifetime, most notably she was the poet-in-residence and taught at the Wake Forest University before her passing in 2014.

The autobiographical core of Maya Angelou’s works touch on topics of racism, identity and womanhood amongst much more. In ‘And Still I Rise’, Angelou introduces her mission of self-love and awareness, reminding her readers to remember that “we are more than the sum of our parts.”

It is this very empowering message that has granted her work’s disbursement across the ages, to readers of all backgrounds and people of all ages. Furthermore, Angelou’s incredible life story compounded the profoundness of her message, offered optimism in a world of uncertainty.

The Contribution of Maya Angelou

The contribution of Maya Angelou was one that changed the foundation of literature, paving the way for a more confident and creative black female voice. Angelou was a beacon of activism, a daring presence that permeated the writing of the day, and her meaning and message was a welcomed respite in a society that was yet to reach equality.

Angelou grew to become a strong advocate of positivity and hope, this new wave in African American literature charted a new course in her writing, a vision of the self in African American culture that was profound and inspirational. Her stories entranced generations and were simple yet inspirational.

The courage that Angelou displayed was a stamp of self- belief, an invitation for her readers to release their inner poetry and to unlock their inner strength. Maya Angelou’s presence inspired courage and kindness, an invaluable presence that still resounds in society to this day.

The Influence of Maya Angelou in Today’s Society

The influence of Maya Angelou can still be felt in today’s society which speaks in the highest regard of her impact on life and the world. Her works and her legacy remain prevalent in today’s pop culture and it is within our communal experience that we recognise the relevance of her legacy.

An expansive interviewee, Angelou was often invited to partake in broadcast interviews, commenting on her various works and further speaking, her stance on political, social and moral issues of the day. Her ability to interpret issues and questions in a colloquial, but authoritative manner continues to inspire current interviewers and their process.

Angelou has served to be an icon for female writers and readers over the world, inspiring individuals to find their own inner uniqueness. In her writing she ranged from military life to family reunions, propelling the power and legacy of African American history through her words. In doing so, she has provided an understanding and appreciation for collective beauty.

Due to her influence, we continue to view Maya Angelou as an incredible visionary, a creator of profound works, and a genius who pushed the boundaries with her words. She paved the way for a new contemporary wave of literary works and ideas and she continues to be an inspiration to people worldwide.

Dannah Hannah is an established poet and author who loves to write about the beauty and power of poetry. She has published several collections of her own works, as well as articles and reviews on poets she admires. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a specialization in poetics, from the University of Toronto. Hannah was also a panelist for the 2017 Futurepoem book Poetry + Social Justice, which aimed to bring attention to activism through poetry. She lives in Toronto, Canada, where she continues to write and explore the depths of poetry and its influence on our lives.

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