Maya Angelou, one of the most renowned poets,civil rights activists and authors of our age, was an iconic figure in the African-American culture. Despite her passing in 2014, her life and works have inspired generations of readers, spoken-word and literary enthusiasts, and change makers. Born Marguerite Johnson, Maya Angelou was born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri and remains one of the most prolific and influential American female authors of all time.
Throughout her illustrious career, Maya Angelou authored many books, poetry and essays. She also had an illustrious career working in television and film, serving as editor of an English language newspaper in Ghana, helping Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his civil rights campaigns, and singing and dancing on Broadway stages. In 1969, Maya Angelou released her first published book, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.’ It was one of the first autobiographical works by a black woman and spent two weeks atop the New York Times Bestseller’s List.
Maya Angelou used her works to examine themes of race, prejudice, family, and personal identity. She was a sought-after speaker, lecturing at universities, churches, and non-profit organizations on a wide range of social justice issues. She appeared in a host of television programs and continued to write until her death in 2014 at the age of 86. Angelou authored more than 30 books and received countless awards, including many honorary degrees.
Angelou’s impact was so great that in 2011 then President Barack Obama presented her with the 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom–the highest United States civilian honor. As his reason for honoring Angelou, Obama said “Helped people see each other’s beauty and strength; turned the pain of her own experiences into words and song and movements to better the lives of other”. It is clear that Maya Angelou left an indelible mark on American history.
Not one to fade away quietly, Angelou had an illustrious career with several long-running projects and speaking engagements. In 2012, Angelou gave an acclaimed lecture on the struggles of African-Americans in the United States at the West Point Military Academy. She was an iconic figure whose larger-than-life presence and works of art shared the common themes of resilience, justice and self-love – the legacy she left continues to this day.
Studies of Maya Angelou
A great deal of scholarship has emerged in the fields of English, psychology, black studies, and gender studies concerning the life and works of Maya Angelou. Scholars have focused on her writing, her involvement in Civil Rights, and her wide-reaching influence on people around the world. Particularly noteworthy is Angela Davis’s work on understanding Angelou’s relationship to trauma and the ways in which she expressed her own healing process through her writing and public addresses.
Through her writing, activism, and performances, Angelou utilized personal experience to share wisdom with the world. Therefore, understanding the autobiographical aspects of her life assists in developing a more comprehensive analysis of her work and her role as a mentor and leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
Acclaimed works such as ‘Letters of the Tending Flame: African-American Women’s Writing and Mary Helen Washington’s ‘No More Masks: An Anthology of Twentieth Century American Poetry’ both attempt to define Angelou’s writing within the context of feminist studies and the rise of African-American women writers. Similarly, ‘Woman is The Poet: Analysis of Maya Angelou’s Work’ and ‘The Artistry of Maya Angelou, analyses the style and content of her writing in preparing the younger generations of poets.
Legacy of Maya Angelou
Angelou’s death in May 2014 marked the end of an era. She left behind a legacy of outstanding art, humanity and humanness that continues to inspire and bring joy to this day. Though a myriad of stories about her life and works exist today, none of them compare to Maya Angelou’s own words when it comes to sharing her story and the stories of African-American women like her. Her legacy lives on in her best-selling books, her humor, her political activism, and perhaps most importantly in the lives she has touched and kept safe.
Angelou was not just an advocate for civil rights and a voice for the voiceless, she was also a teacher, a mentor, a storyteller, a cultural icon, and a role model. Her mentor-ship spans genres, ages and races and continues to captivate those she has left in her wake. Though she may be gone, her words, her art, her work, and her spirit will live on in our hearts and minds for many generations to come.
Impacts of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou had a profound impact on her society and times, bringing attention to the decades-long struggle and fight for civil rights and encouraging generations of people to challenge social and political norms. Angelou represented the importance of recognizing struggles, offering solace in pain, and pushing forward with resilience, courage and determination despite personal and social circumstances.
Angelou’s presence on the world’s stage also informed the global platform of influencers who have used their platforms to pursue social and political change. Her works served to amplify the voices of young and old, men and women, and those living in rural, urban and international communities. She served as an example of a strong leader, demonstrating courageousness in challenging oppressive systems and advocating for true change.
By pushing for social, emotional and educational reform for African-Americans, Angelou became naturally an influencer for the entire African Diaspora and a voice for underserved communities worldwide. On top of that, she also acted as a mentor to many writers and world leaders, including President Obama.
Maya Angelou’s Influence on Popular Culture
The powerful works of Maya Angelou brought solace to many people and the influence of her writings can be seen in modern popular culture. Much of Angelou’s work has been featured in music, spoken word poetry, art, and social media. She was memorialized on many occasions by some of the entertainment industry leading figures, including Oprah Winfrey. Her works have been referenced countless times in television shows, music, podcasts, and the like.
In recent years, the life and works of Maya Angelou have been celebrated far and wide, from her posthumous Pulitzer Prize nomination to rapper Common’s Academy Award winning song “Glory” – a tribute to Angelou. Documentaries, concerts, and conferences also honor the life and spirit of the renowned author.
Today, as people continue to grapple with centuries of social injustice and struggle, Maya Angelou’s words remain powerful and influential. They not only continue to offer guidance and comfort, but also provide a blueprint for social transformation and change. Angelou’s writing strengthened a movement and inspired the hearts of individuals searching for a safe haven in a troubled world.
Maya Angelou’s Impact on International Communities
Angelou’s influence did not only stay within the framework of the U.S. but also permeated through international territories. Her works were actively translated into 50 languages, taking on a global reach and cultural recognition. Angelou has also been a major source for inspiring and promising leaders of Africa and the Diaspora.
In 1997, she was named by the government of Ghana as their ‘Tourism Ambassador’, cementing her place as a global leader and a looking-glass for people everywhere. Angelou visited countries in Africa, including South Africa Madagascar and the University of Nairobi in Kenya and was showered with praise and recognition with her presence.
Angelou’s works have seen major cultural recognition too, inspiring theater plays and musical tributes around the world. Her words have reached far beyond borders and have spoken to and resonated with people all over the world, inspiring individuals to find strength, courage and determination in challenging times.
Honoring Maya Angelou
Following her death in 2014, Angelou was honored in several ways. There are multiple international organizations, schools, and communities dedicated to perpetuating her legacy, offering scholarships and awards for writers, activists and transcendentalists. The Maya Angelou Library, located in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri is a public library facility dedicated to her memory.
In 2017, news broke that a postage stamp honoring Maya Angelou was to be released in 2018. Rosie Hudson, an art director of the U.S Postal Services described the stamp as “an ink-and-paper tribute to Maya Angelou, an influential woman whose life was devoted to the pursuit of justice, equality, and opportunity for all humans”.
The stamp features a portrait of Angelou, painted by American illustrator Ross Rossin. It also includes an excerpt from her iconic poem “Still I Rise”, which reinforces the spirit of resilience, renewal, and hope that Angelou strove to inspire in her works.
Maya Angelou was a legendary figure whose works, words and influence have motivated and reached all corners of the planet and inspired conversations one cannot even imagine. Her legacy truly lives on and will reverberate throughout time.
