Maya Angelou was the daughter of Vivian Baxter and Bailey Johnson Sr., although a paternity test later revealed that Angelou’s father was in fact Silvester Johnson. Baxter and Johnson had a complicated relationship and Angelou’s mother went through a few marriages before Angelou was three. Vivian Baxter was a businesswoman and nurses aide, who had a powerful influence in shaping Angelou’s career. She was an example to her of strong women and her mother often encouraged her to fight for justice and stand up for herself and others, no matter the risk.
Vivian Baxter was born in St.Louis, Missouri on January 12, 1900. As a young woman, she often danced in the St.Louis Chitlin’ Circuit, working in vaudeville and theatre productions, such as traveling with Bill ‘Bo Jangles’ Robinson’s troupes and experiences as a chorus member for the Gilbert and Sullivan musicals. Baxter was also a seamstress and a caterer who believed that everyone should use the gifts with which they were born and work hard to make the most of them.
Vivian Baxter had had a tumultuous relationship with her first husband, a man whom Angelou referred to as the ‘mysterious Mr. Johnson.’ Baxter found periods of true happiness but ultimately the relationship ended poorly. Angelou has recounted that one of her earliest memories was of her father barging into her mother’s home and being dragged out again. Vivian Baxter later married a Christian pastor named Daddy Clidell and adopted his son, Louis Clidell. Little is known about Angelou’s early life with her mother, although memories of Baxter’s praise and insistence that her daughter do her best are prominent.
Bailey Johnson Sr. was a regular part of Angelou’s life in the first three years of her childhood, before he went to California. Baxter ran a boardinghouse, and during this period of Angelou’s life the future author worked in her mother’s local store, babysat, and sang in the church choir. Baxter was determined to move out of St.Louis, and in 1940, after divorcing her third husband, she moved to California with her children. At 14, Angelou became the first African-American female cable car conductor in San Francisco.
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou drew on the example of her mother, Vivian Baxter, as an indomitable spirit in the face of both personal and systemic injustice. Baxter was a strong presence in aiding Angelou’s development as a young artist and individual. Angelou’s words to describe her mother were those of admiration, love, and respect, saying “my mother was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love”.
The Upbringing of Vivian Baxter
Vivian Baxter grew up in St.Louis, Missouri, where she came of age during a time of racial segregation and rampant racial inequality in the United States. Although there is little information on Baxter’s upbringing, what is known is that she had a strong and determined personality even as a child, and that she had to face and overcome many obstacles due to her race. Baxter’s experiences as a child would have certainly shaped her outlook on the world.
Baxter was likely exposed to the racism and injustice that permeated her society at an early age. There is evidence that both her father and grandfather were involved in politics and fought for social justice, which could explain why Baxter eventually became involved in the Civil Rights Movement and empowered her daughter to do the same. Additionally, Baxter was able to attend a university, although this was not a common occurrence for African Americans at the time.
Baxter was a successful businesswoman and nurse’s aide, and she used her business acumen and drive to open a boardinghouse and catering business in St.Louis. Baxter’s resilience and success were a large part of why she was able to provide for her family and why she is remembered with admiration by her daughter, as well as by those she helped. Baxter’s achievements and determination to do her best and succeed, despite facing a society of racism, no doubt had a large influence on Maya Angelou’s later activism, writing, and sense of justice and righteousness.
Bailey Johnson and Silvuster Johnson
Bailey Johnson was the first significant male figure in May Angelou’s life. He lived in St.Louis, Missouri with Vivian Baxter and, while a paternity test later revealed that Angelou’s father was, in fact, Silvester Johnson, Angelou’s father was initially thought to be Bailey Johnson. While Johnson did remain a part of Angelou’s life for her first three years, he eventually left for California before her fourth birthday, never to return.
Little is known about Johnson’s relationship with Baxter, but it appears to have been complicated and tumultuous, ending in a manner that is remembered by Angelou with much pain and trepidation. Johnson has been described as an enigma and a mysterious figure, with Angelou and Baxter rarely speaking of him. Johnson’s departure from Angelou’s life and the fraught relationship he had with Baxter undoubtedly took a toll on Angelou’s formative years, with one of Angelou’s earliest memories being of Johnson barging into their home and being dragged out again.
The identity of Angelou’s father was a matter of speculation until Angelou decided to have a paternity test when she was 23 years old. The results showed that, while Johnson had been a consistent presence in Angelou’s early life, her actual father was Silvester Johnson. Johnson has remained a shadowy figure his life, with Angelou never meeting him and nothing being known of him aside from his name.
Vivian Baxter’s Careening Marriages
Vivian Baxter had three marriages in her lifetime, beginning with her marriage to Bailey Johnson, Angelou’s first father. This was followed by a marriage to someone called the ‘mysterious Mr. Johnson.’ After this marriage ended, Baxter married a Christian pastor from Arkansas named Daddy Clidell. Baxter and Clidell were married for two years and had two children before finally separating. There is little information on Baxter beyond her divorces and marriages.
Sometime after the dissolution of her third marriage, Baxter moved to California with her children, where she was determined to make a better life for them and support her daughter’s entire career. Baxter was a strong believer in education and self-reliance and she strived to encourage these things in Angelou as a child. Baxter’s strength of character and encouragement of her daughter’s pursuits were certainly pillars of Angelou’s later success, despite the tumultuous marriages she went through.
Vivian Baxter’s tumultuous marriages likely caused a great deal of stress and turmoil in the household. However, Baxter was clearly still an influential figure in her daughter’s life and a source of support for her. Through her example, Baster instilled a sense of strength and resilience in Angelou and made clear the importance of pursuing education and success, even in the face of great struggle.
Vivian Baxter’s Legacy
Vivian Baxter’s presence in Maya Angelou’s life was profound and influential, and she remains an important figure in Angelou’s life and writing. Baxter instilled in Angelou a sense of strength and justice, teaching her to always fight for what she believed in and to stand up for her beliefs, no matter the risk. Her sharp business sense inspired Angelou to strive for success, and her examples of resilience gave Angelou the determination to persevere.
Baxter was a strong presence in Angelou’s development, even after her death. She ensured that Angelou had the resources to pursue higher education and success, despite racial and financial restraints. She was also a strong belief in education and self-reliance, teaching Angelou the value of hard work and dedication to her goals. Her words and actions had a substantial impact on Angelou’s life and career, as well as the success and determination of those Angelou would help along the way.
The legacy of Vivian Baxter is one of strength and resilience, and her example gave her daughter the courage and determination to pursue greatness. Baxter’s influence in Angelou’s life was palpable, and while the relationship they had was certainly not without difficulty and strife, Baxter was a powerful presence in Angelou’s development and remains an important figure to remember and honor.
