Maya Angelou is one of the most influential and award-winning poets of our time. Her works have been praised and recognized by many, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. She is most well-known for her book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which was the first autobiographical work by an African American woman to be published and became a New York Times Bestseller. It detailed Angelou’s childhood and adolescence, tracing the themes of abuse, poverty, and racism which she experienced growing up. In this groundbreaking textual testimony, she also explains how she developed resilience and courage despite adversity.
Additionally, Angelou was an acclaimed actress, playwright, and singer. She was awarded an Emmy, two NAACP awards and a Tony nomination. Her writings, including an adaptation of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” male her one of America’s most celebrated figures. She has won many prestigious awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts. She was also counted among Time magazine’s list of “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2013.
In addition to her autobiographical works, Angelou also penned several books of poetry, short stories, essays, screenplays, television scripts and even a children’s book. Moreover, her many operas, such as “And Still I Rise!” and “Mrs. Flowers,” showcase her admiration for the African American experience.
Apart from her accolades, Angelou was an inspirational public speaker. She was a regular lecturer at institutions like Emory University, Vanderbilt University and Oberlin College. She recounted her struggles to many audiences and focused particularly on womanhood and the empowerment of African American women. Through her speeches, she created a unique platform for those seeking justice and equality.
In her final work (entitled “Mom & Me & Mom”), Angelou explored her maternal relationships and her childhood. Published in 2013, this book went on to become another New York Times Bestseller. It is a summary of her life, combining both her autobiography and her poetic skills.
Books by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou has written numerous books over the years and some of her most famous works include “Gather Together in My Name,” “The Heart of a Woman,” “An Angelou Trilogy,” “A Song Flung up to Heaven,” “All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes,” and “I Shall Not Be Moved.” These have been described as thought-provoking pieces that offer insights into the African American experience. Her works have inspired social justice movements, scholars, and writers across the globe.
Lectures by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou has been invited to many lectures and educational forums throughout her lifetime. She was an associate professor at Wake Forest University and is remembered for her inspirational and mesmerizing lectures about African American women. She lectured on subjects such as race, poverty, and violence, as well as on individual empowerment. Angelou’s lectures served as a call for justice, not pity, and have helped to redefine the perception of African American women in society.
Inspiring Poems by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou wrote many celebrated poems for which she is best known for, like “Still I Rise,” “Phenomenal Woman,” “Woman Work,” “The Rock Cries Out to Us Today,” “On the Pulse of Morning,” and “A Brave and Startling Moment.” These poems clearly portray Angelou’s love for African Americans and her raging fight against oppressive forces like poverty, racism, and inequality. Her bold and brave writings are still pervasive in homes and classrooms today.
Awards Won by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou has received many awards throughout her lifetime which reflect her hard work, commitment and innovative ideas. She was named the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, and a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her collection of poems, “On the Pulse of Morning.” She was also a Pulitzer Prize nominee for her work, “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water Fore I Diiie.”
Legacy of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s works have had a lasting influence on humanity. Her poignant accounts of racism and oppression captured the hearts of her audiences and inspired many social justice movements which sought to improve the lives of African American women. Her name has become almost synonymous with courage and resilience, and evokes thoughts of dignity and pride. Angelou’s legacy still lives on in her works, which continue to inspire the young and old alike.
