Angelou was a gifted student. She was an excellent student and was accepted into a performing arts program. Here, she developed a deep love of musical theatre, and it was here that she developed her poetic style. She sang and danced and acted, and she quickly became a star in the school.
Despite her success in school, Angelou’s personal life was extremely difficult. She and her brother were sent to live with their grandmother in Arkansas when their parents separated. After one year of being in Arkansas, Angelou and her brother returned to San Francisco and she re-enrolled in George Washington High School.
Angelou found some degree of solace in the African-American community in San Francisco. She wrote a column for the African-American newspaper the African-American Sun, which was published during her senior year at George Washington High School. That same year she was married at age sixteen. This, unfortunately, ended after only a few weeks, and Angelou dropped out of school.
The Wild West High School Years
Angelou continued her education in several other high schools. During her senior year, she moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Inglewood High School. At Inglewood High, she participated in many extracurricular activities, including the school’s Glee Club and debate team.
Angelou then moved to Oakland and attended Oakland Technical High School. Here, she participated in a number of activities, including the debate team and the student council. She graduated in 1952, just a few weeks before her eighteenth birthday.
Angelou then moved to San Francisco and enrolled at the California Labor School. The school provided an immersive labor education, with coursework on labor’s history and unionism. At the same time, she continued to write for the African-American Sun and also worked odd jobs.
Angelou then moved to Seattle and attended Franklin High School. Here, she studied English and Math, and she also participated in the debate team. In her senior year, she returned to San Francisco and attended Mission High School. While there, she participated in the school’s Glee Club and she also joined the school’s debate team.
The Dreamy College Years
After high school, Angelou attended San Francisco City College, where she studied music and French. During her time, she performed in local clubs and bars and even toured with a production of the opera, Porgy and Bess.
In 1953, Angelou moved to New York City and enrolled in the New School for Social Research, where she studied modern dance, poetry, and drama. She studied with some of the best in the business and developed her craft. She also began writing poetry and short stories during this time.
While in New York, Angelou became a part of the artistic and literary scene. She was surrounded by fellow emerging poets and authors and quickly developed a strong circle of friends.
Angelou soon decided to take a break from college and moved to Egypt. Here, she studied Arabic and worked as a freelance journalist for the African-American newspaper, The Cairo Times. During her three years in Egypt, Angelou wrote several books, articles, and plays, and continued to hone her craft.
The International Traveller Years
After Egypt, Angelou moved to Greece, where she worked as a freelance writer. She then moved to Ghana and taught at the University of Ghana. During her time in Ghana, she became heavily involved in the civil rights movement and participated in numerous rallies, protests, and conferences.
Angelou then moved back to the United States and enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley. Here, she studied English, history, and drama and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1972.
Angelou then returned to Ghana and enrolled in the University of Ghana’s drama school. Here, she studied acting, directing, and playwriting and graduated in 1973. She then moved back to the United States and was accepted into the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied film and television writing. She graduated with a Master’s degree in 1976.
A Well-Known Writer Years
In 1977, Angelou published her first book of poetry, “And Still I Rise”. This collection of poems quickly became a best-seller and won her Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album.
Angelou also wrote a series of best-selling books, including “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “Gather Together in My Name”.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Angelou wrote numerous plays, books, and articles. She performed her poetry in venues all over the world and her plays were produced by theater companies all over the U.S.
In 1993, Angelou was appointed by President Clinton as the first African-American, female writer-in-residence at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Here, she taught English, creativity and literature. This appointment was seen as a symbol of her success as a writer.
A Global Recognized Activist Years
In 2000, Angelou was invited to deliver a poem of her own composition at President Clinton’s inauguration. The poem, “On the Pulse of Morning”, was a rousing success and marked a new high point in her career.
Angelou also gave lectures and readings throughout the world, encouraging other writers to explore and express their creativity. She even received numerous awards and honorary degrees and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Angelou worked to promote racial equality and was supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement. She served as a vocal critic of police brutality and was an outspoken advocate for social justice.
In addition to her activism, Angelou continued to write throughout the 2000s. She wrote essays, plays, and a memoir and also published several books of poetry. During this time, she was seen as a cultural icon and her work was highly praised.
The Empowering Legacy Years
In 2014, Angelou passed away at age 86. She left behind an inspiring legacy of literary achievement and social activism.
Angelou’s work continues to be studied and celebrated. She is remembered as a pioneer who paved the way for future writers and activists. Her books are still widely read and her poetry is still performed in various venues.
In addition to her literary legacy, Angelou is remembered for her activism and commitment to social justice. Her life and work were marked by her refusal to be silenced and her unwavering support for the rights of the marginalized.
Angelou is also remembered for her inspiring words. Her books are full of powerful quotes about the importance of justice, the inevitability of struggle, and the joy of living one’s life authentically.
Angelou’s legacy lives on in the work of the many writers and activists she inspired. Her work is a testament to her unwavering belief in the power of language and the importance of standing up for what is right.
