I admired and respected Dr. Maya Angelou, a woman that overcame insurmountable odds: raped as a child and silenced out of fear, a teenage single mother and a waitress, being a black woman and discriminated. Nevertheless, she loved the arts and pursued her career in film, dancing, singing, directing, writing, and teaching. She was also an activist; Dr. King and Maya were friends and she always stood for justice and equality.
One of her most famous books,written in 1970, I Know Why the Caged Birds Sings. opened up dialogue and awareness for women who were emotionally and sexually abused. She was (and still is) their voice.
Excerpt from her biography:http://mayaangelou.com/bio/
“Dr. Angelou has served on two presidential committees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and has received 3 Grammy Awards. President Clinton requested that she compose a poem to read at his inauguration in 1993. Dr. Angelou’s reading of her poem “On the Pulse of the Morning” was broadcast live around the world. Dr. Angelou has received over 50 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.”
Maya, a woman of color, raised the bar and demonstrated through her life’s work and experiences that every “sister-friend” can make it!!! Thank you for sharing your life with the world.
Dr. Angelou was on my bucket list. Now, I’ll have to meet you on the other side.
R.I.P. Phenomenal Woman!!!
