Maya Angelou was an American poet, author, playwright, and activist. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4th, 1928, she was an eloquent speaker, renowned for her inspiring words of wisdom. Beyond her written works and oratory, Maya Angelou has made considerable contributions to civil rights and women’s rights, earning many accolades including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Throughout her storied career, Angelou was no stranger to the stage. She sang professionally for a number of years, worked in theater and as a journalist, and also made an appearance in the acclaimed 1978 Broadway musical, Gettin’ Up Morning. An abundance of talents, Maya Angelou excelled as a writer, having published seven autobiographies, three collections of essays, and several books of poetry.
Dr. Angelou was an avid human rights advocate, using her platform to speak out against injustices faced by women, African Americans, and other minority groups. She would often use her poetry to express her views, making her a formidable voice for change. In a number of her books, Angelou discussed her own experience with issues such as racism, trauma, and sexual assault.
Throughout her lifetime, Maya Angelou enjoyed many honors and accolades. She was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and was even awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. In addition, Angelou received more than 30 awards, including an NAACP Image Award, the National Book Award Lifetime Achievement, and the National Medal of Arts for Literature.
In 2016, Angelou passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of powerful and inspirational works. Since then, her name has entered the hearts and minds of people all over the world, especially those who seek to leave a lasting mark on the world just like she did. To this day, Maya Angelou continues to serve as an inspirational figure, reminding us to never give up regardless of our circumstances.
Early Life
Maya Angelou was born as Marguerite Annie Johnson in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. During her lifetime she endured experiencing racism and trauma due to living in the segregated south. At age seven, Angelou lived in Stamps, Arkansas, with her grandmother. She attended the all-black public school there and soon learnt to be proficient in the area’s rural gospel music. The gospel sound was an influence that remained with Angelou for the rest of her life. When she turned eight, Angelou, her brother, and mother moved to San Francisco, California.
Angelou was exposed to the performing during her childhood. She often performed as a singer at her father’s club in San Francisco, and at the age of 14 Angelou even toured California with a professional dance troupe. The singer, Ruby Higgins, became a mentor to Angelou when she was seventeen, and the two often performed together. Angelou’s vocal talent landed her a record deal at the age of 18, where she released her first and only single, “Miss Calypso”.
Angelou had a difficult upbringing, as she endured racial and sexual abuse and trauma. That being said, she managed to remain strong and excel academically. At age 14, Angelou graduated high school, becoming pregnant at the same time. She then pursued her college studies but never graduated due to financial constraints.
Written Works
Writing and literature would become Angelou’s saving grace—writing was her way to make sense of the world and express herself. Many of Angelou’s works are heavily influenced by her traumatic childhood experiences and her journeys around the world, as well as stories from the people around her. Angelou captured the essence of the African American experience in many of her works, from her celebrated autobiographies to her famous poems.
In 1969, Angelou published her first autobiographical work, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. The book became an instant classic, becoming a record-breaking bestseller and winning her a nomination for the National Book Award. The autobiographical piece not only painted a vivid description of Angelou’s life after her abuse, but it was also a significant step towards helping abolished of social taboos and changing the way people were seen and talked about in the literary world.
In addition to her autobiographical works, Angelou also wrote many poems, including the widely acclaimed Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise. Additionally, Angelou published three collections of essays and several books of poetry, including And Still I Rise, I Shall Not Be Moved, and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. With each piece, she expressed her inspiring words of wisdom and used her distinct lyrical style to bring awareness to acts of injustice.
Award and Acclaim
Maya Angelou received several lifetime achievement awards for her prolific works, most notably the National Book Award for Modern Poetry, as well as over 30 honorary degrees from esteemed universities. In addition, Angelou received a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1983 and her autobiographical work, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, was nominated for a National Book Award in 1970. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Angelou with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.
Angelou’s impact extended beyond literature and activism, as she also ran workshops across the country, offering lessons and guidance to aspiring authors and poets. Additionally, Angelou was an esteemed honorary chair of the AMAZE Children & Families and she served as a Reynolds professor of American studies at Wake Forest University.
A great source of inspiration for many, Maya Angelou often spoke of the power of words and encouraged everyone to be true to their beliefs. Through her work, she was able to shatter the limitations of society’s expectations of African American literature, making it clear that African Americans had stories worth telling and could reach out to the world to make their words of wisdom heard.
Legacy
Maya Angelou left an everlasting footprint in history, and her work has been an inspiration to many. She is applauded and admired for her insights into the social and political upheaval of the civil rights era and for her ability to increase visibility of the African American experience. Her works have had an impact throughout the world, prompting readers to thoughtfully contemplate on her vital topics and enlightening words of wisdom.
In addition to her works, Angelou’s lasting legacy is her optimism and her positive attitude; her personable and encouraging nature meant that no one ever felt out of place or judged. She lived a life of perseverance, using her own experience to not only survive but to thrive and remain a beacon of light for everyone who was in need of it. The world lost an incredible woman and champion of human rights when Angelou passed away, but her work will forever remain an inspiration.
Achievements
Maya Angelou is renowned for her prolific and vibrant works, which have become crucial parts of literature. She published seven critically acclaimed autobiographical works, three collections of essays, and several books of poetry, including Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die, I Shall Not Be Moved, and Phenomenal Woman. As a result of her ground-breaking works, Angelou was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and won the National Book Award for Modern Poetry. Additionally, Angelou received numerous honorary degrees and was even awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 for her exemplary contributions to civil rights and women’s rights.
Angelou received more than 30 awards and honors. Most notably, Angelou was appointed to join the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year by the President Gerald Ford, appointed an Honorary Adviser of Women Affairs to the United Nations by Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter, and appointed to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year by President Bill Clinton. In 2005 she was honored with the Lincoln Medal given by Congress and the government dedicated her a Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Angelou also gained special recognition when her work was mentioned in the Academy Awards. Denzel Washington presented the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award for Best Original Song to the writers of “Glory” from the movie, Selma. He quoted Angelou’s line “A bird doesn’t sing in the cage because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song”. Her words profoundly touched one of the biggest stages in the world and resonated with millions of viewers.
Influence
Maya Angelou’s body of work has inspired countless of writers and aspiring writers throughout the world. Through her words, Angelou advocated for equality, giving everyone the courage to stand tall against injustices. Her works have been the source of strength for many, uplifting the spirits of marginalized people who are reminded that perhaps the odds are against them, but that does not meant that their spirit has to break.
In addition to being an acclaimed author, Maya Angelou was a mentor and role model to many. She often quoted phrases of encouragement on social media, sharing her wisdom and thoughtful words of wisdom. Her works were imbued with her profound insight into justice, freedom, and the power of love, continuing to provide readers around the world with courage to strive against the odds and make the right choices.
Exceeding expectations and breaking conventions, people of all walks of life appreciated the persuasive power of Angelou’s work. All the while, she remained humble and true to herself and the people around her. No matter the accolades bestowed upon her, she always remembered the importance of heritage, showing the world that educating yourself on the past will lead to a brighter future.
