Dr.
Angelou is a
lovingly adored poet, novelist, educator, producer,
actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.
She was born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was
raised in Arkansas. Despite the brutality of racial discrimination that she and those she loved had endured (sadly some losing their lives), she rose above with faith, hope and wisdom.
I was virtually introduced to Dr.
Angelou by way of The Oprah Winfrey Show many years ago. I was truly fascinated every time I heard her speak. To me, she had such a savant presence that compelled me to hang on her every word. While reading about her life, I realized straight away how relate-able she was to me. At 14, she
left high school, but earned her diploma later in life, as did I. She gave birth to her
son, a few weeks
after graduation. As a young single mother, she supported her son by
working as a waitress and cook, etc. (as did I), however her passion for music, dance and poetry would soon flourish, to which I feel, like every moment of her life, was all a part of her divine path.
Her biography is extraordinarily entailed with so many milestones.
Just to name a few;
- Touring Europe in 1954 with a production of the opera Porgy and Bess
- In 1958, she joined the Harlem Writers
Guild, acted in the historic Off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's The Blacks and wrote and performed Cabaret for Freedom
- Her move to Cairo, Egypt as editor of the English language weekly The Arab Observer
- Her move to Ghana where she taught at the University of
Ghana's School of Music and Drama
- Meeting Malcolm X and returned to America to help him build his new Organization of African American Unity.
- Serving as a Coordinator for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
- Honors, books, movies, television
- Dr. Angelou had received over 50 honorary degrees and was Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
Her son, Guy B. Johnson, on behave of Dr. Maya
Angelou’s Family stated on Wednesday, May 28, 2014;
"Dr. Maya
Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. Her
family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a
loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher,
activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality,
tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we
had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love."
To conclude this article I want to express my deepest appreciation for Dr. Maya
Angelou’s existence. The path that she endured to bring about such a great impact on anyone who was graced by her words. Not only is Dr. Maya
Angelou an enormous credit to her race, but to humanity as a whole...her level of greatness is a rarity in this world.
During my troubled times, I inspire to people like her to restore my faith in humanity.
Rest In Peace Dr. Maya Angelou
