The extraordinary poet, writer, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou was born on this day in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Today I am featuring her as a true Champion of Creativity; she was an American icon & cultural treasure.
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson, but as a little girl her older brother Bailey nicknamed her "Maya." Following her parents' divorce, when she was three and her brother four, they were sent to their grandmother's home in Stamps, Arkansas - all alone. They lived happily there for four years, when, for some unknown reason, her father arrived in Stamps and removed Maya and Bailey from their home, and took them back to live with there mother in St. Louis.
Unfortunately, it was in their mother's home that Maya was sexually abused and raped by her mother's boyfriend. She told Bailey about what her mother's boyfriend, Freeman, had done. The man was tried and convicted, but only served one day in jail. Within days after his release, Freeman was murdered. Shortly after Freeman's murder, Maya and her brother were sent back to their grandmother's home in Stamps, Arkansas. She subsequently became mute for five years. She later stated, "I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone." It was during this period of silence that she developed her amazing memory, her love of literature, and her ability to observe the world around her. Angelou credited a teacher and family friend, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, with helping her to speak again. The woman introduced young Maya to books by numerous authors including: Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and Frances Harper.
One reason I've chosen to feature Maya Angelou as a Champion of Creativity is due to the way she lived her life; the way she made choices. At times she seemed to make only poor choices, and at other times, her choices seemed brilliant. One thing that is clear is that, as an adult, Ms. Angelou was led by her heart. This deep connection to her inner spirit is what made her such an iconic author and poet. I believe it is also what fueled her deep commitment to civil rights.
In 1969, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published. That autobiography quickly won Angelou international acclaim. Maya went on to publish six more autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and numerous plays, movies, and television shows. On January 20, 1993, she recited her poem On the Pulse of Morning at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton.
Maya Angelou received numerous degrees from a variety of universities. She received three Grammy Awards for her spoken word albums. Angelou was also honored by being nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. Her autobiographies have been widely used in institutes of higher education to teach students such subjects as literary techniques, race relations, psychology, and child development.
Maya Angelou died on May 28, 2014 in Winston, North Carolina.
Ms. Angelou had an extraordinary way of illuminating the human condition. I often read her quotes for inspiration along my storyteller's journey. Here's one of my favorites:
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
