Maya Angelou: A Phenomenal Woman
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an American poet, memoirist, actress, and prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Her autobiographical work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. Angelou's rich, lyrical voice and unflinching honesty in addressing racism, identity, and trauma established her as one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Early Life and Childhood
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her early years were marked by trauma and displacement:
- Parents: Bailey Johnson (father) and Vivian Baxter Johnson (mother)
- At age 3, she and her brother Bailey were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas
- At age 7, she was sexually assaulted by her mother's boyfriend, who was later killed (likely by her uncles)
- The trauma left Angelou mute for nearly five years, during which she developed her love of literature
Education and Early Career
1940: Moved to San Francisco with her mother, attended George Washington High School and studied dance and drama at California Labor School
1944-45: Became San Francisco's first Black female streetcar conductor at age 16
1951: Married Greek electrician Tosh Angelos (divorced 1954), took the professional name "Maya Angelou"
1954-55: Toured Europe with a production of Porgy and Bess
Literary Career and Major Works
Angelou published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and was credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years.
Autobiographies
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
- Gather Together in My Name (1974)
- Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas (1976)
- The Heart of a Woman (1981)
- All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986)
- A Song Flung Up to Heaven (2002)
- Mom & Me & Mom (2013)
Notable Poetry Collections
- Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie (1971)
- And Still I Rise (1978) - containing her famous poem "Phenomenal Woman"
- Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? (1983)
"You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise."
- From "Still I Rise"
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise."
- From "Still I Rise"
Civil Rights Activism
Angelou was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement:
- 1959: Became northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at Martin Luther King Jr.'s request
- 1960: Moved to Cairo, then Ghana, where she worked as an editor and teacher
- Collaborated with Malcolm X in Ghana (1964-65), returned to US to help him build Organization of Afro-American Unity
- After assassinations of both Malcolm X and MLK Jr., she was encouraged by James Baldwin to focus on writing
Later Years and Honors
1981: Became Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University
1993: Recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration
2000: Received National Medal of Arts from President Clinton
2010: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama
2014: Died on May 28 at age 86 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Literary Style and Themes
Angelou's work is characterized by:
- Autobiographical focus: Her seven autobiographies form an extraordinary chronicle of 20th century Black experience
- Blues aesthetic: Incorporates call-and-response patterns, improvisation, and rhythmic language
- Resilience: Central theme of overcoming trauma and oppression
- Celebration of Black culture: Especially Southern Black folk traditions
- Intersectionality: Explored race, gender, and class simultaneously
Personal Life
- Marriages: Tosh Angelos (1951-54), Paul du Feu (1973-81)
- Children: One son, Guy Johnson (born 1945)
- Religion: Deep but unconventional Christian faith blended with other spiritual traditions
- Homes: Lived in numerous places including Arkansas, California, New York, Cairo, Accra, and North Carolina
Legacy and Influence
Maya Angelou left an indelible mark on American literature and culture:
- Paved the way for Black women's autobiographical writing
- Expanded academic recognition of African American women's literature
- Her works are widely taught in schools and universities
- Received over 50 honorary degrees
- The Maya Angelou Documentary Collection resides at Wake Forest University
- Posthumously honored with the 2015 Literarian Award by the National Book Foundation
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
Selected Film and Television Appearances
- Roots (1977, TV miniseries) - played Nyo Boto
- How to Make an American Quilt (1995)
- Madea's Family Reunion (2006)
- Numerous appearances on Oprah and other talk shows
Interesting Facts
- Spoke six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, and Fanti
- Was San Francisco's first Black female streetcar conductor at age 16
- In her youth, worked as a fry cook, nightclub dancer, prostitute, and madam
- Had a routine of checking into a hotel room to write - she kept a Bible, dictionary, thesaurus, bottle of sherry, and yellow legal pads
- Wrote and directed several plays and documentaries
Maya Angelou's life and work continue to inspire generations with their wisdom, courage, and celebration of the human spirit. As she wrote in "Phenomenal Woman":
"I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me."
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me."
Thank you!
Biography of Maya Angelou
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