Maya Angelou was a renowned American writer, poet, and activist who overcame several hardships and obstacles in her life to become an inspiration for women across the world. She was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. She grew up in Stamps, Arkansas with her grandmother along with her brother Bailey after her parents got divorced. It was Bailey who gave Marguerite the nickname “Maya,” which she later adopted as her professional name.

Childhood Struggles

Her childhood was filled with racism, poverty, and sexual abuse which caused her to become mute for several years. Angelou was sexually abused by her mom’s boyfriend at the age of seven. After she confessed, he was jailed and then killed upon release from prison. Believing that it was her confession that killed him, she became mute for five years. Despite this, Maya overcame the adversities of her childhood. She gave birth to her son, Guy Johnson, at the age of 16 and worked several jobs to support them both.

Early Career

Maya Angelou started her career as a performer and an actor. She toured with a production of Porgy and Bess and even released her own album titled Miss Calypso in 1957. During this time, she became more involved in the civil rights movement and worked closely with notable civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Literary Accomplishments

Angelou was a prolific writer who was known for her autobiographical works which chronicle her personal and professional journey. Her first and most famous memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, recalls her childhood and adolescence while exploring themes of identity, trauma, resilience, and liberation. It was a critical success and was even nominated for a National Book Award, becoming the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. She wrote six more volumes of autobiographies as well as numerous collections of poetry, essays, and children’s books.

Poetry and Playwriting

Maya Angelou also published several collections of her poetry, with her 1971 collection Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie earning her a Pulitzer Prize nomination. Angelou’s contributions extend far beyond the realm of poetry and memoirs. She was also a successful playwright and screenwriter. She wrote the screenplay for the 1972 film Georgia, Georgia, making her the first African American woman to have a screenplay produced.

Acting Career

Angelou’s acting career continued to flourish in the 1970s and 1980s. She even earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play Look Away and an Emmy Award nomination for her work in the television miniseries Roots.

Advocacy and Impact

Angelou was a strong advocate for social justice and human rights. She worked with other civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, James Baldwin, etc., and she quickly became an inspiration for millions of people around the world.

Personal Life and Legacy

Maya Angelou was married multiple times. Her son, Guy Johnson, also became a poet like his mother. She passed away in 2014 at the age of 86.