Maya Angelou was a renowned American poet, author, and civil rights activist. She was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away on May 28, 2014, aged 86. Indeed, Ms. Angelou was a formidable figure in twentieth century American culture and enjoyed an illustrious career that saw her foray into civil rights activism, education, and the literary arts. Her writings, speeches, and poetry have influenced generations and remain deeply relevant to our current times. With that in mind, one question remains: where did Maya Angelou go to school?
After completing her initial schooling in St. Louis, Maya Angelou moved with her mother, Vivian Baxter, and brother, Bailey Johnson Jr., to San Francisco, California. Here, at the age of fourteen, she entered the George Washington High School, from which she graduated in 1945. Additionally, Maya Angelou was enrolled at the California Labor School, which was an adult education institution run by well-known communists, for a brief period in 1945.
Maya Angelou studied dance, music, and drama at the racially segregated San Francisco Labor School. While the school was criticized for its communist ties, attendees such as Maya Angelou benefited from its diverse courses where they could learn about art, labor movements, and history. In fact, some of Angelou’s famous works, such as ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’, pay homage to her education at the San Francisco Labor School.
Following her high school graduation, Maya Angelou attended San Francisco’s City College and studied modern dance and drama. Throughout her college life she worked multiple jobs, one of which was in the echoey halls of the California Labor School as a staff member. She then enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley and studied journalism in 1951.
During her time at Berkeley, Maya Angelou experienced a great variety of life-altering events. She gave birth to her son, Guys, in 1952 and later in the same year became the first black female cable car conductor in San Francisco. To further her ambitions, Maya Angelou enrolled in Columbia University in 1954. There, she graduated with a B.A. degree in philosophy in 1959.
In conclusion, Maya Angelou received her education in multiple locations. Initially, she attended George Washington High School in San Francisco and proceeded to take courses at the San Francisco Labor School. She then enrolled at the City College of San Francisco, the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University. In total, Maya Angelou graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from Columbia University.
Maya Angeou’s High School Years
Maya Angelou started her educational journey in St. Louis, where she completed her initial schooling. She then relocated with her mother and brother to San Francisco, where she enrolled at the George Washington High School. She graduated from the school in 1945 having studied dance, music, and drama. Additionally, Maya Angelou was registered at the California Labor School, a radical institution, for a brief period in 1945.
At her high school, Maya Angelou encountered the diverse courses on art, labor movements, and history, which enabled her to explore her interests. One of her famous works ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’ pays homage to her high school education. Angelou was also an eager employee at the California school, taking a job as staff member in 1945 and eventually becoming the first female black cable car conductor in San Francisco.
In the following years, Maya Angelou grew to become an iconic figure in the literary arts, education, and civil rights activism. She pushed boundaries and was unafraid to confront the racism of her era. Maya Angelou was one of a few fierce black women who earned education in a time of segregation and fight for civil rights at the same time.
Maya Angeou’s College Years
In 1945, after graduating from George Washington High School, Maya Angelou went on to pursue higher education. She enrolled at the City College of San Francisco, studying modern dance and drama. In the same year, she was also working jobs in addition to obtaining her education. In 1951, Angelou continued her educational journey at the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied journalism.
During her college years, Angelou had a son, Guy, and got hired as a cable car conductor. As a mother and devoted student, she felt the need to further her ambitions and enrolled at Columbia University in 1954. Angelou graduated two years later with a BA in philosophy in 1959.
Maya Angelou completed her education by attending various universities, these included George Washington High School, the California Labor School, the City College of San Francisco, University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University. Her educational journey enabled her to gain knowledge and capacities that she later deployed to rise as a successful poet, author and civil rights activist.
Maya Angeou’s Writing Career
Following her college graduation, Maya Angelou took up various professional roles as a writer, journalist, educator, civil rights activist and entertainer. Throughout her career she wrote several books, headlined drama, authored numerous poems and literary works, and presented several lectures, among many other things.
Her works covered a vast range of topics and many are relevant to this day. Her distinguishing writing style set her apart and she managed to transmit her ideological and moral beliefs through her works. Her effort and dedication to literature were greatly rewarded and Angelou was recognised with two NAACP wards, two National Book Awards, and two Pulitzer Prize nominations.
Maya Angelou’s works included ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’, ‘Gather Together in My Name’, ‘The Heart of a Woman’, ‘The Complete Collected Poems’, ‘Letter to My Daughter’, ‘And Still I Rise’ and many more. She wrote more than thirty books and other publications, earning her her the Pulitzer Prize Nominee for Poetry.
One of her greatest achievements was to become the first African-American woman to have a nonfiction bestseller with ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’, which served as a tell-all autobiography about her childhood. This success was solidified by her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
Maya Angeou’s Transformation Into Activism
Influenced by her educational background, Maya Angelou’s perspectives were not confined to the limits of literature. As a civil rights activist, she devoted her whole life to the struggle for justice and equality. Angelou was part of the civil rights movement since the late 1950s and was greatly admired for her sense of engagement and dedication.
In the 1960s, Maya Angelou joined Dr. Martin Luther King’s organization SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). She subsequently served as the northern coordinator of the organization. In this role, she successfully managed SCLC’s fund-raising campaigns and other related activities throughout the U.S.
In 1967, Angelou was appointed to be the northern coordinator and communications director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Under her supervision, the SCLC managed over 200 campaigns in 60 different cities. Angelou was also actively involved in the Poor People’s Campaign, initiated by the SCLC. In addition to her civil rights activism, Ms. Angelou worked in film, music and theater directing.
Maya Angeou’s Legacy
Maya Angelou was one of the most hardworking and influential figures in the US. Her literature and other works continue to inspire individuals as she wrote with a distinct voice about racial and gender issues. She rose from being an outsider to becoming the face of poetry, civil rights activism, and female empowerment.
Maya Angelou’s works have reached far and wide and have been translated into numerous languages. For her achievements in literature and civil rights activism, she was awarded numerous awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and many honorary degrees.
In 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded her the Medal of Freedom in her honour due to her leadership in civil rights and her writings. This was another testament to Maya Angelou’s lasting legacy, highlighting her unparalleled portfolio and undeniable progress she has brought to the American culture.
