Maya Angelou is one of the world's most beloved writers and poets!
Her lifetime achievements include:
Pulitzer Prize nominee
Civil rights activist
Actress and producer
Recipient of the National Medal of Freedom
Her writings inspire us to be stronger, better human beings!
We Can Survive And Thrive
In her poem Still I Rise, Maya refers to her personal trauma and the collective trauma of Black people throughout history.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Yet in spite of the painful references, the poem's message is one of:
dignity in the face of oppression
the resiliency of the human spirit
hope and strength
Black power
Listen to Maya Angelou recite Still I Rise:
We Are One
In her poem Human Family, Maya Angelou begins by speaking of ways that we're all different from one another.
I note the obvious differences
In the human family.
Some of us are serious,
Some thrive on comedy.
The variety of our skin tones
Can confuse, bemuse, delight
Brown and pink and beige and purple,
Tan and blue and white.
She concludes that although we have many differences, we are alike. We are one human family.
I note the obvious differences
Between each sort and type,
But we are more alike, my friends,
Than we are unalike.
Listen to Maya Angelou recite Human Family:
Love Yourself
The poem Phenomenal Woman celebrates women of all races, ages, shapes, sizes, and generations.
Through her poem, Maya invites us to:
Be confident and proud
Appreciate our specialness
Love the women in our lives, past and present
Listen to Maya Angelou recite Phenomenal Woman:
Quiz
Lakeesha looks at herself in the mirror and notices her hair is extra curly and her body is very curvy. She isn't sure what others think when they see her because she looks quite different from the women on her favorite TV show.
Quiz
What do you think Maya would tell her?
Take Action
Maya Angelou's words speak to people of all races, genders, and nationalities.
Her bold words, unapologetic spirit, and positive mental attitude inspire each of us to be our best selves.
Learn more about Black history and Maya Angelou:
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