Maya Angelou is one of the most celebrated authors and poets in America. As a civil rights activist, feminist, writer and scholar, she has made immense contributions to the world. While many people know the basics of her career, they may not know some of the more interesting and fun facts about her personal life. Here are a few facts you may not have known about Maya Angelou.
Maya Angelou was born April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents named her Marguerite Johnson after her mother, but people nicknamed her Maya, which she later adopted. Her parents moved around quite a bit for work, and by the age of 14, Angelou had lived in the US, the Bahamas, and Canada.
Angelou had an impressive list of diverse professional accomplishments. She was the first of eight black women to study journalism at the University of California and later worked as a newspaper editor and television scriptwriter. In the 1950s, she became active in the Civil Rights Movement and spearheaded several new initiatives to empower African-American communities. She was also the author of seven autobiographies, including the influential work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Angelou wasn’t just an extraordinary writer and activist; she was also a gifted singer and dancer. Known for her powerful singing voice, she traveled the world to perform, toured frequently in Europe, and performed the African folk song “Ave Maria” at former President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration ceremony.
Angelou was also an underground celebrity chef. She often cooked meals for family and friends, with her go-to meal being jambalaya. Even more impressive is that she whipped up jambalaya-deluxe in 25 minutes!
Angelou was a huge animal lover, she particularly enjoyed taking care of dogs. During her lifetime, she owned more than thirty dogs!
Finally, we must mention Angelou’s many educational accomplishments. Not only was she a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, but she also earned more than thirty honorary degrees from universities around the world.
Early Life and Career
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents, Bailey and Vivian, moved around a lot for work. By the age of 14, Angelou had moved to the U.S., the Bahamas, and Canada.
She attended George Washington High School in California for a time and later transferred to high school in Arkansas. During her youth, she studied dance and drama and developed a love of books and reading. At the age of 16, she had her first brush with fame as the first African-American female streetcar conductor in San Francisco.
Angelou’s first published work, “The Heart of a Woman,” appeared in 1958, and she began her career as a professional writer. In the 1950s, she became active in the civil rights movement and developed several new initiatives to empower African-American communities. During this period, she worked as a journalist, editor, and scriptwriter.
Angelou’s groundbreaking autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was published in 1969. The book is considered a seminal work of the civil rights movement, and it made Angelou an international literary star. During the rest of her career, she wrote seven autobiographies, countless essays, and countless books of poetry.
In the later years of her career, she moved away from writing to focus more on speaking engagements, teaching, and political activism, influencing people around the world with her work.
Music and Dance
Angelou wasn’t just a literary star; she was also a talented singer and dancer. She began singing and performing at a young age and traveled the world for various concerts and performances.
In 1993, she toured Europe, and in 1997, she toured the United States and Africa. She was particularly known for her powerful singing voice and wild on-stage energy. In 1993, she performed ‘Ave Maria’ at former President Bill Clinton’s first Inaugural Celebration.
She wasn’t just a singer and dancer, either; she was a highly talented chef! Angelou often cooked meals for friends and family, with jambalaya-deluxe being her favorite dish. She was so proficient that she could whip up the dish in 25 minutes!
Through her music, dancing, and cooking, Angelou radiated an infectious energy that was contagious to everyone around her.
Animal Lover
Angelou loved animals, particularly dogs. During her lifetime, she owned more than thirty dogs! From playful poodles to loyal dalmatians, each dog had its own unique personality, and Angelou enjoyed getting to know them.
She also loved interacting with animals in the wild, from the dolphins at Sea World to the chimpanzees in Africa. She was especially passionate about wildlife conservation and used her celebrity to raise awareness for the protection of endangered species.
Angelou also used her background in marketing and her skills as a communicator in an effort to raise funds for various animal causes.
Educational Accomplishments
Angelou wasn’t just a brilliant author, activist, and artist; she was also an esteemed academic. In 1982, she became the first woman to be awarded a lifetime chair professorship in American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where she taught for 32 years.
Angelou earned more than thirty honorary degrees from universities all over the world. Even more remarkable, she had a teaching appointment at fifteen different universities during her illustrious teaching career.
Angelou was a passionate educator and used her lectures, speaking engagements, and writing to pass on her knowledge and wisdom. This is why she was called “The Teacher” by some of her most loyal students.
Final Years
In her final years, Angelou was a popular figure in public life. She gave lectures and speeches around the globe and wrote about various topics for the New York Times.
Angelou raised funds for causes close to her heart and rasied money for various charities. She was also deeply involved in education; she founded the Maya Angelou Leadership Charter School, where she was deeply involved in both the fundraising and the day-to-day operations.
Despite facing multiple health issues, Angelou remained an active part of public life, in addition to giving lectures and speeches, she also penned a series of inspirational poems. Prior to her death in 2014, she published her final work of poetry, “Mother,” the same year.
Legacy
Maya Angelou left behind a lasting legacy as an award-winning writer, poet, civil rights activist, singer, dancer, and educator. Her work has inspired people around the world and her instantly recognizable name has become shorthand for positivity, resilience, and strength.
Angelou’s books are required reading in most secondary and college classrooms. Her work has been featured in the Women’s Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Awards, and countless other awards, honors, and accolades.
Angelou was a pioneering trailblazer who used her voice and platform to help those who were struggling and downtrodden. To this day, her words, poems, and stories continue to inspire and bring hope to a new generation of readers.
Conclusion
The life, work, and legacy of Maya Angelou is an inspiration to us all. Despite her struggles, she rose to the challenge and became one of the most iconic figures in American history. Her story is a testament to the power of human resilience and perseverance.
