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Birth
Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, MO. -
Early Life
At the age of seven, Maya's parents split up. She had an older brother, named Bailey, and they were sent to live under the care of their aunt Anne Henderson. This is was then that they moved to Stamps, Arkansas. -
Life Altering Event
At a very young age Maya experienced segregation and racial discrimination. Living in Kansas started this racial tension where she was bullied. For a search of comfort he went to visit her mother not long after she moved, only to encounter a traumatizing experience. She was raped by her step dad and assaulted. In anger her uncle actually murdered her step dad, an event that left her literally a loss for words. She came back home and remained silent for years to come. -
Education
She received a scholarship to attend the California Labor School to study dance and art. While attending school she became the first African American Woman to become a cable car conductor. -
Early Career
While working as a conductor she began to start on her journey in writing. She wrote several books advocating for women's rights and African American's rights. From the beginning she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believed in, which would later leave a lasting mark in her legacy. -
Civil Rights Journey
Maya's most known piece of literature is I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings, expressing how being held "captive" makes the fight stronger and only makes you work harder. This is still well thought of today which proves that her impact was huge on the civil rights movement. Her work inspired many people and still inspires us today. Now it on the list of reading books in many colleges. -
Book Banned
Her award winning book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings was actually banned from schools. Since she was so open about being sexuallly abused, schools seemed it was very inappropriate to read her book. The message wasn't just the sexual violence, it was her cry for equality for EVERYONE. -
Presidential Inauguration Speech
Maya actually spoke at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. I think that is really powerful because after all of her hard work she was able to speak her ideas in front of millions of people. -
Death
Maya Angelou died recently on May 28 at the age of 86. -
The Significance
Her life is a huge topic still discussed today and she is a perfect example of a civil rights advocate. She endured hardships and overcame them enough to write about it to inspire others. I think almost everyone has heard her name and I think we will for the years to come.
