10 Reasons Maya Angelou Matters

Angelou Often Related Faith to the Dignity of the Individual and Gave Voice to Many

By Kharrisa Forte | Metro Voice

1. “Phenomenal woman, That’s me.”
One of Angelou’s most popular pieces, “Phenomenal Woman” is a work of literary art that continues to build courage in the lives of women. Rather it’s the bravery to chase a dream or realizing that we as women are a force to be reckoned with, “Phenomenal Woman” is truly a lesson in self-esteem.

2. Home of St. Louis
Born and raised just three hours east of Kansas City, Maya Angelou contributes to the idea that great women are bred right here in Missouri.

3. Master of Language
Americans are constantly vexed by other cultures for only knowing one language. Not Maya. This poet mastered French, Spanish, Italian and several other tongues.

4. Power of Words
Beyond pen and paper, this writer understood and lived by the power of words and even poetically referenced John 1:1 for its significance.

“Words are things, I’m convinced,” she said. “You must be careful about the words you use and the words you allow in your home. You must be careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives. Don’t do that. Someday, we will be able to measure the power of words.”

5. Turning Trials into Triumph
At the tender age of 7, Maya Angelou was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. Jailed for just a day, her uncles murdered the man shortly after his release. Despite being victimized, Angelou felt extremely guilty for his death and didn’t speak — literally — for five years. It was during that time of silence that she fell in love with reading and writing, which would be the first steps towards being the inspiration that she has become today.

6. Presidentially Recognized
Upon Bill Clinton being elected, he requested that Maya Angelou write a poem specifically for his inauguration “On the Pulse of Morning” was the poem she wrote, making her the first poet to speak at an inauguration since John F. Kennedy’s election.

She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000 during Clinton’s term. Under George W. Bush, Maya Angelou received the Lincoln Medal and was again recognized by Barack Obama in 2010 when she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

7. Life sometimes can’t be articulated just once.
Maya Angelou wrote seven autobiographies. They vary in time, place and experiences. Her first autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” is the most well-known. Angelou’s seventh autobiography, “Mom & Me & Mom,” was released just last year.

8. Peace Maker
Throughout the civil rights era, Maya Angelou worked with both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in their efforts to better Black America. At King’s request, she became the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and helped Malcolm X form his Organization of African American Unity.

9. Beyond Books
In addition to the play itself – which was the first screenplay written by a black woman – Maya Angelou wrote the musical score for “Georgia, Georgia” in 1972. She also wrote several numbers for songstress Roberta Flack.

10. She taught us to take responsibility for how we impact others.
The ego can be a dangerous entity if we’re not careful. Here are a few quotes by Maya Angelou that aimed to teach us how to wield that power properly:

“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.”

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

Maya Angelou matters to many people for many reasons.