Maya Angelou, the iconic American poet, novelist, and civil rights activist, passed away at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928, Angelou was one of the first African-American female authors to gain wide acclaim. She was known for her inspiring quotes, her prolific writing, her vocal challenges to social injustice, and her support of civil rights movements.
Angelou’s life experiences greatly informed her writing. She studied dance, acting and music for many years, worked many different types of jobs (from gas station attendant to freelance journalist to cook, painter and college professor) and took part in the civil rights movement. All of these experiences contributed to her writing which consists of poems, essays and autobiographical works.
Angelou published her first autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in 1969. This book is considered by many a classic work, as it focused on Angelou’s struggles with her identity as a black woman. It was also the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. She was also the first black female to write a screening movie and to have a script performed on Broadway. In 1993, Angelou became the first African American female poet to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration—at the inauguration of Bill Clinton.
In addition to her literary achievements, Angelou had an illustrious career as a civil rights leader. She was a close friend to Martin Luther King Jr., and used her voice and her craft to fight for inclusion and equity. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 for her tireless work for equal rights and human dignity.
Angelou’s death was felt deeply among the civil rights community, who mourned her death as a great loss. Her poignant poetry, her unwavering determination, her dedication to justice and her inspirational quotes will remain with us forever.
Angelou’s Third Autobiography
Angelou’s third autobiography, A Song Flung Up to Heaven, was published in 2002 to great acclaim. The book focused on her activism during the civil rights movement and her friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. She also explored her personal struggles with the unresolved issues of her youth, such as the death of her father and the impact of racism on her life. This book won a Quill Award, and won praise from critics for its brave honesty and raw emotion.
Angelou’s final book of poetry, And Still I Rise, was published in 2008 and once again was met with rapturous approval from critics. The book contains many of her famous poems, such as “Still I Rise,” “On the Pulse of Morning,” and “Phenomenal Woman” as well as other works of her own. It was described by critics as a powerful and moving read full of deep emotion and insight.
In addition to celebrating Angelou’s work through reads, books, films and television shows, her death was also marked by a tribute in her native St. Louis, Missouri. The event, called “A Day with Maya Angelou” was attended by hundreds of people who held a moment of silence in her honor, sang her poems, and shared their own stories as they remembered her impact on their lives.
Fittingly, many of Angelou’s iconic quotes were used to commemorate her life and mark the occasion. Fans continued to share her works and words of inspiration, sharing her messages to future generations.
Maya Angelou’s Final Years
In her last years, Angelou became a fixture of the West Coast literati. Not only did she grace the pages of her books, she was a contributing writer to the Los Angeles Times and several other newspapers and magazines. In 2012 and 2013, she was even awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Foundation.
Angelou kept a rigorous travel and speaking schedule during her last years. She visited universities and schools to share her inspiring words and her personal stories. She was passionate about her work and her message of empowerment, and she continued to travel and spread her message up until shortly before her passing.
In her final years, Angelou also kept busy with writing and directing. She wrote and directed a feature about a woman in rural Mississippi, which was released in 2008, and adapted Gloria Naylor’s novel The Women of Brewster Place into a 1989 ABC miniseries which was nominated for twelve Emmy awards. Her final works of poetry were published in joint volumes with her brother, Tony, and her daughter, Alexis.
Despite her fame, Angelou was also known to be a private person, who kept much to herself. She resided mainly in North Carolina near her family and treasured her own time in solitude where she enjoyed reading, spending time in her garden and walking her English bulldog, Diva.
Angelou’s Legacy
Maya Angelou’s legacy will live on forever in her written works and her contributions to the civil rights movements. She will be remembered for fighting against social injustice, inspiring others with her words, and for living a life of courage and honesty. As millions of readers around the world sink into her poetry and her writing, Angelou’s spirit and her commitment to truth and justice will continue to live on.
Angelou’s works have been translated into numerous languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. She has inspired a generation of African American women memoirists and her quote, “Still I Rise,” has become a rallying cry for generations of people who have stood up for equal rights. Her words, her life, and her courage will remain a part of American history forever.
Maya Angelou’s Awards and Accolades
Angelou’s many books, poems, television and film works were marked with numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She was the first black female poet to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration, having performed “On the Pulse of the Morning” in front of William J. Clinton in 1993. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama, among other awards and recognition from major organizations, including the National Foundation for the Arts.
Maya Angelou also received numerous honorary doctorates from universities around the world, including Harvard, Princeton, and Brown University. She was also awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Foundation in 2011. Angelou was honored numerous times for her advocacy for civil rights, freedom of expression, and her literary prowess.
Angelou’s literary achievements are unparalleled. Her works are still highly-read, her poetry and her writing style has been widely-cited, and she has achieved a place in American History with her many awards, honors, and accolades. She was an inspiration to many, and her spirit and her influence will live on forever.
Maya Angelou’s Impact
The impact of Maya Angelou’s life and works will never be forgotten. Millions of people around the world were moved by her books, her quotes, and her passionate stand against racism and injustice. Her words and her writing have been used to start powerful conversations around the world, and her inspiring words continue to bring hope and strength to people everywhere.
Maya Angelou opened a door and made space for diverse voices and perspectives, and her commitment to truth has and will continue to inspire and empower generations of people. She was a strong voice for black women and for women everywhere, and her works will remain part of our collective cultural consciousness for a long time to come.
Angelou’s passing was an incredible loss for the world, yet her spirit and words remain in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Millions of people, from school children to world leaders, still look to her writing, her words, and her life for comfort, strength and inspiration.
