Analyzing Maya's Writing Career

The life experiences of the late Maya Angelou —author, poet, actress, singer, dancer, playwright, director, producer — became the key element of her most prominent work, a lyrical poet telling the stories of what it means to be an African American; having a wide range, multi-series autobiographies that lays the foundation of her identity as a American black woman. The acclaimed Maya Angelou’s legacy not only impacted American culture that will resonate with people through history, but create insight to a whole new world.

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928-May 28, 2014) was an American author, actress, screenwriter dancer and poet. She was known for her memoir, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings (bibography.com). “Her parents divorced when she was only three and she was sent with her brother Bailey to live with their grandmother in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas. In Stamps, the young girl experienced the racial discrimination that was the legally enforced way of life in the American

Maya Angelou, named at birth, Marguerite Johnson was on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her and her family moved from St. Louis to Stamps, Arkansas, where she was raised growing up. Maya Angelou was an American author, dancer, screenwriter, actress, poet and civil rights activist. Angelou gained a majority of her fame with the memoir she wrote in 1969, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This memoir made literary history as being the first nonfiction best-seller by an African-American woman. Angelou received many awards and honors throughout her entire career. These awards included two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category, in 2005 and 2009. Angelou became one of the most legendary and influential

Maya Angelou is one of the most distinguished African American writers of the twentieth century. Writing is not her only forte she is a poet, director, composer, lyricist, dancer, singer, journalist, teacher, and lecturer (Angelou and Tate, 3). Angelou’s American Dream is articulated throughout her five part autobiographical novels; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Gather Together in my Name, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting’ Merry Like Christmas, The Heart of a Woman, and All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes. Maya Angelou’s American Dream changed throughout her life: in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya’s American dream was to fit into a predominantly white society in small town

Maya Angelou was inspired to read by several amazing authors and an educated Black woman. “She read books by Langston Hughes, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Paul Lawrence Dunbar”. .”(Poetry Foundation, 2008). Maya said, “Even though she and Bailey were discouraged from reading the works of white writers at home, Angelou read and fell in love with the works of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Edgar Allan Poe.”(Poetry Foundation, 2008). Mrs. Flower’s was someone who also once played a wonderful role in her life. She was the person whom was able to get Maya to speak again when she was young. Mrs. Flowers was a charming gentlewoman who was an aristocrat in the small town of Black Stamps. She would give Maya books to take home, and she would tell her to read the books aloud. “She explained the importance of education, importance of the spoken word, and instilled in her a love of poetry. ”(Poetry Foundation, 2008). Maya became so interested in writing that she moved to New York and joined the Harlem Writers Guide in the late 50’s and began her writing career.

She also remained politically active throughout her life, continuing to show her support for the Civil Rights Movement, reciting her poem, “On the Pulse of Morning” at Bill Clinton’s inauguration, and publically endorsing both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Angelou finally passed away on May 28, 2014 at the age of 86. Even in her later years, Angelou never stopped writing. In the last 10 years of her life, she penned over four books and several poems. (Wikipedia.com) Angelou is remembered not only as an awe-inspiring poet and author, but also as a talented musician, playwright, and outspoken activist. She truly left her mark in every aspect of her

Initially, Angelou was taking care of her mother who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992. That same year Angelou received the Horatio Alger Award (Kite 98). Furthermore, Angelou had received a call from president-elect Bill Clinton, who asked to compose and read a poem for his Presidential Inauguration in 1992 (Agins 105). On January 20, 1993, Angelou read her poem On the Pulse of Morning in front of hundreds of people gathered for Clintons' Inauguration (Agins 107). Also, Angelou celebrated her 65th birthday in 1993, which was hosted by Oprah Winfrey (Kite 98-99). Angelou dedicated her book Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now to Oprah "with immeasurable love" (Agins 108). Of equal importance, Angelou published wrote a cookbook after her dear friend Oprah asked her. In 2004, Angelou published her first and only cookbook, Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes (Agins 109). Lastly, Angelou published her final Auto-biography, Mom & Me & Mom in 2013 (Ncpedia.org). May 28, 2014, at the age of 86, Angelou died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Ncpedia.org). Hence, Maya Angelou's later life indicated how an African-American woman achieved greatness.

Dr. Angelou served in the presidential committees having been awarded the Presidential medal of arts in 2000 as well as the Lincoln medal in 2008 and has received 3 Grammy awards. Dr. Angelou read her poem of on the pulse of the morning which was broadcasted around the world. Dr. Angelou’s honorary skills have leaded her to earn more than 50 honorary degrees. After the devastating occurrence of Martin Luther King Jr’s death Dr. Angelou did not celebrate her birthday afterwards but sent flowers to King’s widow named Coretta Scott King for more than 30 years until Coretta died in 2006. Maya Angelou is the first black woman to write and produce several prize-winning documentaries such as Afro-American in the arts which was a PBS special later receiving a Golden

She had many accomplishments, and she was honored to receive them all. She wrote up to 51 books, has won 57 awards and has written 53 poems. Maya has won 57 awards such as the Matrix award, Coretta Scott King award, the Lincoln medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also has written many books her top two most famous enough books are I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, And Still I Rise. Her poems are all in one book called The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou.

Marguerite Johnson, known as Maya Angelou, was not only famous for writing poetry but she also served as a Civil Rights Activist. Her other occupations were being an actress, dancer, including an exotic dancing (Maya Angelou Is Born), and an author. When she was working at the strip club a theatre group which help her with her acting career. They helped her get a role in the infamous Porgy and Bess and Calypso Heat Wave (Maya Angelou Biography). Around that time, she started producing albums, which later got her a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Audio version, writing biographies, poetry. Later, in her adult life, she won two NAACP image awards, Emmy award, for the mini-series Roots, and three Grammy’s (Maya Angelou Biography). Unfortunately, She

Angelou’s writings are an important historical faction of American literature. Maya Angelou was a well-rounded, self-motivated woman who accomplished many things in her life. She not only accomplished things to benefit herself, but to better the life and people around her. Among some of the many things she did, being part of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s was one of the most

Maya Angelou was the woman of many artistic gifts and talents. She had several different careers in the performing arts including creative writing, dancing, and acting. She really wasn’t raised by her birth parents, but she had learned to accept what her parents did for her brother and her. Somehow through all that she has been through she made a way out of a way that almost seemed impossible. So please give me the honor of giving you the honor of sharing her life story and telling about her road to success.

When Maya was raped, she blamed herself for the death of her rapist, and became muted for 5 years. She used this story as a growth mechanism. She wrote a book titled, “I know why the caged bird sings” (Angelou), which is about the civil rights movement and a young lady struggling to make it through. The book reflects her life from when she was an insecure little girl to growing up and realizes people cannot be mad at the world forever. She learned that she can trust herself and be who she really is. This book is what got her noticed. She translated a message so clear throughout the book,that black girls can conquer independence and be great at it. New York Times Journalist Katherine Schulten says, “Maya Angelou’s often-taught “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” already know, for Ms. Angelou, “finding her voice” meant something much more than just learning to write well”(Schulten). What this quotes means is Maya Angelou purposely wrote this book to teach and become an inspiration to everyone. She found her voice and not its time for everyone else to find their voice ! She is such a great soul that blessed so many people's hearts with her inspirational teachings and poems. Ultimately, Maya Angelou defied expectations by finding her voice and becoming such a strong independent woman during rough times when everything seemed impossible. Her actions were worth every minute spend, til

Maya Angela is like a bud who slowly bloomed to become a beautiful flower. In her most famous book’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” she discusses the horrible struggles she went through as a young girl being black, being shy, and being raped. Throughout her life she struggled

When you become an author, actress, screenwriter, dancer and a poet all at a young age I guess you are just bound for greatness.Maya Angelou found a way to open eyes and change lives, all with just her writings (Bio.com 2015). She grew up with the mindset of victory, because as she said, “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude” (BrainyQuote 2017).Maya Angelou's name actually derived from her childhood nickname,Maya, and a shortened version of Greek sailor,(Anastasios) Angelopulos (Bio.com 2015).Receiving over forty award during her career, I guess you can say she was one of the greatest black poets that ever lived (Liquid Search Editors 2017).