Life and achievements
Early life
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents, Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter Johnson got a divorce when she was only three years of age. Therefore, Angelou and her elder sibling Bailey Jr. were taken to their paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas. Life in Stamps was somewhat complicated, mainly due to the practices of racial segregation and limited employment opportunities, but her grandmother's general store was a source of income.
Angelou met her mother again at the age of seven in St. Louis, where her mother lived. At this time, she was sexually assaulted by her mother's boyfriend. The man was charged and convicted after her brother reported the incident to the police; however, the man only spent one day in jail. He was released from a hospital four days later but was killed, possibly by Angelou's uncles. Thinking that her voice led to the man's death, Angelou stopped speaking for almost six years. During this time of her silence, she became fond of reading and writing.
Back to her grandmother in Stamps, Angelou went to the Lafayette County Training School. Her love for reading was fostered by Mrs. Bertha Flowers, a family friend who introduced her to Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and Edgar Allan Poe. Mrs. Flowers urged Angelou to read again, telling her that only by reciting poetry could one feel the love for it.
In 1936, at the age of fourteen, Angelou returned to Oakland to live with her mother again. She was enrolled in the California Labor School, where she learned dancing and drama. She got her dream job at sixteen as the first African American female streetcar conductor in San Francisco; she had to fight for the job as she was rejected many times because of the color of her skin. After completing her high school education, she got pregnant and had her son, Clyde, becoming a single mother. These early experiences of resilience and overcoming adversity would later shape her writing and activism profoundly.
Legacy
Maya Angelou left a significant mark on society as a writer, performer, and civil rights activist. Her work remains popular and relevant today, affecting people of all races, genders, and nationalities. Angelou is one of the most influential authors whose works, especially her autobiographies, are valuable for analyzing the black American experience and describing the world in general.
Her activism for the rights of African Americans and other oppressed groups made her a key figure in the movement, where she played the role of organizer, fundraiser, and spokesperson. Angelou's connection with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X strengthened her position as one of the most influential people in the fight for equality.
In education, her time at Wake Forest University and her honorary doctorate degrees show her dedication to academia and students. She inspired many students and urged them to discover themselves and speak for change. She influenced the academic society, making people appreciate literature and humanities more.
Angelou was also active in the film and television industry and music. She was a pioneer of screenwriting and directing and acted in plays, films, and television series. Her recitations of poetry earned her several Grammy Awards, confirming her as one of the most influential and inspiring voices in the world of arts.
Maya Angelou is remembered for her strength, artistic talent, and fight for equality. Her life's work remains a source of motivation for the youth and everyone else to work hard, fight for their rights, and cherish the diverse world we live in. Her words and deeds exemplify how narrative works and how a person who devoted her life to the pursuit of justice can remain relevant.
Milestone moments
Nov 22, 1981
Maya Angelou received the position of the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This lifetime appointment enabled her to teach many subjects such as literature, ethics, and theology and influence and motivate so many students. She was a great academician who left her mark on society and influenced young minds with her knowledge and experience.
Oct 15, 1972
First African American Woman to Have a Screenplay Produced
Angelou scripted the film Georgia, Georgia, produced by a Swedish film company. This achievement earned her the pride of being the first African American woman to have her screenplay produced and opened the door for more women of color in the film industry. This film also contributed to the reinforcement of her identity as a versatile artist and a narrator of stories.
Feb 22, 1995
Grammy Award for the Best Spoken Word Album
Maya Angelou received the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Phenomenal Woman. This award was proof of her talent in delivering emotions and messages in her spoken word performances. Angelou's voice, both in her writings and speeches, remained relevant to people across the globe, earning her much admiration and acclaim.
Nov 22, 2024
National Medal of Arts
The President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, honored Angelou with the National Medal of Arts for her contribution to American literature. This honor recognized her as a poet, writer, and performer and praised her for supporting the arts and humanities.