What Was Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was a celebrated poet, novelist, actress, and civil rights activist. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, her parents moved the family briefly to neighboring Arkansas before they divorced soon after. Angelou was sent back to live with her paternal grandmother in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas, where her early life was very challenging. Drawing on her courage and strong sense of self, though, Angelou made a name for herself at an early age.

As a young adult, Angelou held a variety of jobs including fry cook, waitress, dancer, and singer. Eventually, she became the first female African-American cable car conductor in San Francisco. She also become an active member of the Harlem Writers Guild and involved with the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s. During this period, her first book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie, was published in 1971.

Throughout her later years, Angelou was an acclaimed writer and public speaker. She wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and wrote plays, screenplays, as well as produced and directed several plays. In 1993, she read her work On the Pulse of Morning at President William Clinton’s inauguration. In addition, Angelou was awarded more than 50 honorary doctor degrees and had the distinct honor of delivering lecture series at both Wake Forest and Yale.

In addition to the many poetry books she wrote, Angelou’s other achievements included her Tony-nominated stage performances, her roles in musicals and films, her album Miss Calypso, and her activism for civil rights. Her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published in 1969 and established Angelou’s position as one of the most renowned and powerful contemporary voices of the African-American experience.

After a rich, full life, including 65 years of extraordinary writing, Angelou died at the age of 86 in her Winston-Salem home on May 28th, 2014. Angelou’s influence extends far and wide; Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Lin-Manuel Miranda all publicly honored her life and thanked her for the profound impact she had on their own lives.

Civil Rights Activism

Maya Angelou was an energetically vocal advocate for human and civil rights, as well as a leader in the Black Arts Movement. Rising to prominence in the 1950s and 60s with the American civil rights movement, she actively protested and promoted equal rights for African Americans, women, and other minorities. In the south, Angelou was an active participant in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the NAACP, and she supported Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Later in her life, Angelou went on to join the UNC Board of Governors and became a professor at Wake Forest University.

Throughout Angelou’s activism, she gained a reputation for being an incredibly powerful speaker. She toured internationally, delivering her message of hope and diversity where it was most needed. Angelou spoke all around the world, emphasizing the need for healing from past decades of racism, sexism, and violence. During her speech at Bill Clinton’s Inauguration in 1993, she famously said, “Each of us has the power not only to endure, but to survive and, more than that, to thrive, with passion, compassion and style.”

Another notable example of Angelou’s activism was her eulogy for civil rights leader Malcolm X in 1965. In her talk, she spoke about human dignity and respect, saying, “His life and his work has taught us that we must write our own destiny, to recognize that we have within us the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Angelou’s commitment to her passion of civil rights was clear and left a lasting impact on generations.

Educator and Career

Maya Angelou’s employment journey spanned a wide range of career paths; she worked as a fry cook, waitress, dressmaker, seamstress, backup singer, professional dancer, nightclub proprietor, market researcher, magazine editor, educational consultant, uncooked bus conductor, and more. She later wrote her first poetry book, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie in 1971, which was a light-hearted reflection on her life leadership and undeniable living. Before she was even thirty, Angelou was a celebrated author, poet, and performer.

Angelou was famous for her strong sense of self and positive attitude, and often spoke about the power of perseverance and self-determination. She called on young adults and adults alike to write their own paths and follow their dreams. Further, in her roles as an educator, Angelou spoke to students about the weight and importance of choice. She taught them to think for themselves, and to boldly embrace the power of self-expression.

In 1981, Angelou continued to expand her portfolio, becoming a Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. In her classes, she found kindred souls in her students by urging self-discovery and self-expression. By the time she retired in 2014, the University said she taught over 900 students in her fourteen years as a professor.

Angelou’s work in higher education did not stop there. She also served on a number of boards, including the Howard University Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. In addition, Angelou was honored with more than 50 honorary doctorate degrees, including ones from Duke, Yale, Columbia, and Harvard.

Impact on Literature, Poetry, and Inspirational Writing

Maya Angelou’s influence as an incredibly talented writer spanned all genres, including both fiction and non-fiction. She is credited for starting a literary tradition with her 1969 autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and her works were taught all around the world. Her popularity was mainly attributed to the fact that she wrote from the perspective of a black female living in the 20th century. She wrote poems, essays, screenplays, novels, and autobiographies, becoming the first African American woman to write a feature-length screenplay.

Another one of Angelou’s notable accomplishments was Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie, her first book of poetry. Initially self-published, the poems in this book detailed Angelou’s life as a black woman living in the south, capturing what it was like growing up and living with racism. This book earned her several awards, including the Pulitzer Prize nomination for the poem “Alone”.

Angelou published several collections of poems, including three books on the concepts of life, love, and fear. The last of which, Mom & Me & Mom, was published in 2013. Her words and stories embody both strength and hope, exploring heavy issues of race, gender, and societal injustice. Her universal message of love and compassion will continue to inspire and empower generations of people to come.

Legacy

Maya Angelou was praised for her unique form of writing – her combination of poetry and autobiography. This approach gave her a platform to speak candidly about the injustices she encountered during the troublesome years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. By shining a light on difficult topics, Angelou fazed in the lasting imprint of modern literature and linguistic excellence.

Further, Angelou was celebrated for her quick wit and humor that she wrote into her books and stories. She was also a gifted public speaker, delivering her message at universities, TED talks, and during political events. Her tireless presence of activism and education will not easily be forgotten, as she lived by the simple yet powerful message – to never give up on your dreams.

Today, Angelou’s impact endures. She was praised by notable figures including President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, just to name a few. With eight autobiographies and several books of poetry, Maya Angelou stands tall as an icon of literature, activism, and courage.

Social Media

Maya Angelou was an inspiration to people everywhere. She left a lasting impression on social media, connecting people from all walks of life. Her posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook were full of quotes about hope and courage in the face of adversity. She used social media as a platform to educate, motivate, and inspire, gaining recognition as a role model for many generations.

The social media messages Angelou posted reached a worldwide audience and were accompanied by beautiful images of nature, poetry, and inspirational quotes. When Angelou passed away, the social media world was flooded with people expressing their sadness and admiration for the icon. Many of her famous followers, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Viola Davis, and Nicki Minaj, posted remembrances of Maya.

In addition to receiving high praise on social media, Angelou was awarded several prestigious recognition awards as well. For instance, in 2011, she accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama. This award was given to Angelou in honor of her literary accomplishments, her activism, and her passion for living and learning.

Performance and Music

Maya Angelou’s lifelong devotion to the arts was exceptional, extending to her roles in musicals, films, and plays. Angelou was also a talented musician, receiving a Tony-nominated performance for a supporting actress in the 1973 musical Look Away. Additionally, she appeared in cameo roles for several movies and television shows, including How to Make an American Quilt and the television drama series Touched by an Angel.

Outside of the theater, Angelou released her only album entitled Miss Calypso in 1957. The album contained her own original tracks, as well as covers of songs from popular jazz, blues, and calypso singers. Her work as a singer and songwriter showcased her values and beliefs as an African-American woman, and her works will live on, passing her message on to future generations.

In addition to being an actress, singer, and poet, Angelou was also a popular public speaker. She gave motivational talks and advice to those seeking strength and courage to overcome their personal and societal struggles. Her elevated message of universal love provided an inspiring voice of guidance, and it was this voice which connected with people of all ages and walks of life.

Conclusion

Maya Angelou’s impact on literature, activism, and the culture of spoken word will remain deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of generations of people. From her early life in the south to her later years as a celebrated and esteemed public figure, Angelou mad a lasting impression on us all, leaving behind a legacy of courage and strength.

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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