December 9th, 2008
Inspiring Women: Dr. Maya Angelou
Dr. Maya Angelou is a truly remarkable woman. She is an accomplished poet, educator, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, and best-selling author - just to name a few of her achievements. Her remarkable wit, wisdom, and ability to inspire people is enviable. It is no wonder that she has been hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a true Renaissance woman.
In her break out autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” published in 1970, Dr. Angelou shares the tragic experiences of her early life. She was born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. At the tender age of eight she was sexually abused and raped by her mother’s boyfriend.
When her confession of this horrible secret leads to the man being found kicked to death, Angelou became mute. She says, “I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill…” She remained mute for five years. She credits her friends and teacher, Bertha Flowers, with introducing her to classical literature and authors and helping her to speak again.
Angelou’s second autobiography, “Gather Together in My Name,” recounts her experiences at a teenaged mother, including a slide into poverty and crime, as a means to care for herself and her young son. She eventually learned how to use her natural artistic and dance abilities to perform professionally. She won a scholarship to study dance with Trinidadian choreographer Pearl Primus. Angelou co-created a dance team, “Al and Rita”, with choreographer Alvin Ailey; toured Europe with a production of the opera Porgy and Bess in 1954–1955; studied modern dance with Martha Graham; danced with Alvin Ailey on television variety shows, and recorded her first record album, Miss Calypso, in 1957. Angelou’s third autobiography, “Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas,” recounts her early career in performing arts, including the conflict between the desire to be a good mother and the hunger for success as a performer.
Dr. Angelou has authored twelve best-selling books (view Dr. Angelou’s complete complete body of work here). She became only the second poet in in U.S. History given the honor of writing and reciting original work at a Presidential Inauguration when she recited her poem, “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in January 1993. Angelou received three Grammy Award nominations for her spoken word albums and has garnered more than 50 honorary degrees from colleges and universities all over the world.
Dr. Angelou has inspired generations of people to strive to achieve greatness - regardless of their gender, color, or current economic condition. Her poem, “Phenomenal Woman” has become an unofficial anthem for women. The piece is simply perfect in its ability to inspire self-esteem and confidence in women of all ages. The poem, is included below:
PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them
They think I’m telling lies.
I say
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It’s the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say
It’s in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It’s in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need of my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.
Tell us, what has Maya Angelou and her moving body of memoirs and poetry meant to you?
