Maya Angelou was a renowned African-American poet, singer and civil rights activist. Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, she grew up with a love of language and gave some of the most inspirational and heart-wrenching talks in modern history. Angelou had an unconventional life full of unique experiences. From her early years as a single mother, to her activism as an adult – Angelou’s life was remarkable. Here’s an overview of five major life events that helped shape who Maya Angelou became.
Childhood: Growing Up in Small Towns
Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis and spent the first three years of her life there. Afterwards, her father sent her and her brother to their grandmother’s home in Arkansas. Angelou soon became well-acquainted with small-town life, as she continued to move between three rural towns in Arkansas before leaving for San Francisco in her teenage years.
The Stint as a Street Performer
Angelou briefly worked as a prostitute in San Francisco in her early teens before renouncing that lifestyle. She took up a job as a street performer and began singing in nightclubs. Later, she won a scholarship to study dance, acting and musical theatre at the San Francisco Labor School.
Becoming a Single Mother at 17
At 17, Maya’s marriage to a Greek picture-carrier bore her a son, Guy. This forced her to quit school and work as a waitress, and in time, as a magazine editor in order to support herself and her son. She also wrote articles, poems and plays but her biggest achievement at this stage was her son, whom she later enrolled in school in California.
The Civil Rights Movement
Angelou served as a civil rights advocate, joining the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1960. Afterwards, she became the Northern Coordinator of the organization’s New York office and was one of the first female primetime news anchors on the radio.
The Works of Literature
In 1969, Angelou published her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which became a literary landmark. Shortly afterwards, she published five more collections of poetry, the most popular of which is Phenomenal Woman. All her works explore themes of racism, identity, strength and love, with lyrical language and heart-wrenching honesty.
The Slavery and the African Diaspora
Angelou wrote and broadcasted extensively about the harms of slavery and the struggles still faced by descendants of the African diaspora. In addition, she wrote essays and children’s books, had acting cameos in a variety of films and was often consulted as an opinion shaper in topics such as civil rights, gender equality and politics.
Esteem in Public Roles
Angelou achieved immense recognition for her political activism and literary career, boasting an array of honorary degrees and awards. In 1993, she published her highly acclaimed collection, A Brave and Startling Truth, which was commissioned for President Clinton’s inaugural ceremony. Her works have since gone on to inspire millions, captivating people from all walks of life.
Engagement with Poetry
At the center of Angelou’s vast portfolio of works is her poetry. Whether singing, performing on stage, spouting words of wisdom or writing, Angelou was a lyrical artist – a source of powerful description, imagery and wisdom. Her personal anecdotes mixed with strong political messages, precise technique and unique voice offer her readers an immersive and thought-provoking journey through her life and the world.
Education and Writing After Retirement
After retiring from public engagements in 2014, Angelou took up teaching and literary positions at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. She also edited several anthologies and collected works from others, as well as writing several plays, works of fiction and screenplays.
Researching Global History
Angelou was also appointed to research for the 1997 TV series, The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. In this, she chronicled the history of the black experience in America and beyond, looking at how the African diaspora affected various trades, cultures and countries. The program earned her an Emmy nomination in 2014.
Death of a Literary Titan
On May 28, 2014, Maya Angelou died of natural causes in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her death evoked an outpouring of grief and accolades from all over the world, her legacy resounding in people’s hearts spanning generations and continents. She was, and continues to be, an inspiration to readers, writers and activists all over the world.
