Maya Angelou was a celebrated writer, poet, actress, storyteller, and filmmaker. She is most renowned for her seven autobiographies, which she wrote with courage and frankness; for her award-winning poetry, which includes I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; and for her impact as a civil rights advocate throughout her life. Born Marguerite Ann Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928, she moved to San Francisco as a small child and spent much of her life there. She attended schools in San Francisco and California, where she studied dance, drama, and music.
Angelou became a civil rights activist in the early 1950s and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the mid-1960s. She also worked on issues of equality, education, and human rights. Angelou’s writing, full of emotion and energy, drew on her African American experience, culture, and history. She wrote about child abuse, economic injustice, racism, and poverty. Her writings are said to bring transformation to the reader in terms of understanding, thought and awareness. Angelou was awarded over fifty honorary degrees from universities in the United States, and in 1993, she wrote and delivered an inaugural poem for President Bill Clinton.
In addition to her written works, Maya Angelou also gave motivational lectures, was an impressive and unique storyteller and was a regular on the Bill Cosby Show. She made a CBS documentary about African women entitled, “Africa: mother of us all,” and also voiced “Black Cinderella” on an episode of the animated children’s show “Happily Ever After”. Maya Angelou was also a songwriter who composed music for social causes, and she produced a number of films, such as “Down in the Delta” and “Georgia, Georgia”.
Maya Angelou was an eminent campaigner for human rights who spent her lifetime advocating for the civil and political rights of the African American community. Throughout her career she received countless awards, honorary degrees and recognitions that include the Presidential Medal of Freedom and three Grammy Awards for her spoken word albums. Angelou’s legacy rests in her incredible body of work, which stands out for its courage and its understanding of hope, redemption, and the resilient human spirit.
At the time of her death in 2014 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at age 86, Maya Angelou had left a profound mark on both American and world culture. Her thought-provoking work will be remembered for generations to come, thanks to her rich and vivid prose that engages readers of all ages.
Writitngs
Maya Angelou was an amazing wordsmith and her writing contains wonderful insight and awareness of the human condition. Her seven autobiographies each explore a different stage of her life and include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which is a classic of modern literature. Her writing has also explored issues of child abuse, economic injustice, racism, and poverty. While her language can sometimes be considered raw and direct in its honesty, it is this candid voice that speaks volumes about her life
Some of Angelou’s other well-known books include Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die, And Still I Rise, The Heart of a Woman, and I Shall Not Be Moved. Her poetry collection Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? is a compilation of some of the most powerful verses she has written over the course of her career. Her words are said to inspire others to believe in themselves and overcome adversity.
Angelou’s writings have led to several awards and recognitions. She received the National Book Award in 1971 and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1972. She also received the National Medal of Arts in 2000 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Over the years, her since of empowerment and dignity have been evident in her words, influencing millions of readers worldwide.
Speaking and Performing
Maya Angelou was also a renowned orator, delighting audiences with her voice and her words. She gave motivational lectures and appeared on stage as an actor, storyteller and performer. In addition, she wrote and produced ‘Sisterhood, a Legacy of Parables and Songs”.
Angelou frequently appeared on the Bill Cosby Show for her skill in playing a believable grandmother figure. In 1993, she wrote and delivered the Inaugural Poem Offered to President Bill Clinton on that momentous day. Going back in time further, we can trace her appearance in the 1972 documentary, Imagine the Sound and her voiceover work on the 1988 animated film, “Happily Ever After”.
In recent years, Angelou worked on a collaboration with the National Civil Rights Museum in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. The project was called “Maya Angelou * In a Dialogue with the Audience.” In addition, she received the 2013 BET Humanitarian Award for her phenomenal contributions to music and film.
Advocacy
Maya Angelou was an esteemed activist and advocate for civil rights. In 1952, she became a civil rights activist and joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s march in the mid-1960s. There she served as northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Additionally, Angelou worked on issues of equality, education and general human rights throughout her life.
Angelou served on two presidential committees and was instrumental in the organization of Lyndon B. Johnson’s birthday celebration in 1965, as well as being consulted as an adviser for his “Great Society” program. She also founded the Attributes of God Prison Ministry. Some of her other honors include being nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, becoming the second poet in history (after Robert Frost) to write and recite an original work for a U.S. presidential inauguration.
Film, Music and Visual Arts
In addition to her writing, Maya Angelou was also a talented film producer. She produced a CBS documentary, “Africa: Mother of Us All” and turned her books into films. She also produced “Down in the Delta” and “Georgia, Georgia”. Angelou has also composed music for social causes and sung on a few musical albums, one of which was the popular song “A Brave and Startling Truth”.
Apart from her work with films and literature, Angelou also had a hand in visual art. Her most notable works were two pastel and collage pieces, “Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well” and “I’ve Learned”. Both these pieces are now housed in the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C.
Legacy
Maya Angelou’s legacy is found in her teachings, books, films, and humanitarian work. She will be remembered for her inspiring thoughts, written words and impactful works that aimed to uplift the African American community and society as a whole. She dedicated her life to spreading love and light, and her rich and vivid prose lives on today.
Most recently, a Virginia high school was named after Angelou, and the Audre Lorde Project honored her with their Audre Lorde Award. The Maya Angelou Ladies of P.O.E.T.S. organization created a poetry competition in her name to honor her contribution to spoken word. Angelou has left behind many timeless works that will undoubtedly continue to empower millions for many years.
