Renowned poet and author Maya Angelou has died at the age of 86 at her Winston-Salem, NC home, publicist Helen Brann said Thursday.
Born “Marguerite Ann Johnson” in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou grew up in Stamps, Arkansas. Her work spanned more than 50 years?and included seven autobiographies, three books of essays,?numerous books of poetry, and even a cookbook. She is also credited with a list of plays, movies, and TV shows. She was one of the first black women film directors and her work on Broadway earned her Tony Awards nominations.
Angelou dropped out of high school at the age of 14 and became the city’s first African -American female cable car conductor. She later returned to high school when she was 17 to finish her diploma, giving birth to her son a few weeks later. She waited tables to support him and acquired a passion for dance and music.
Angelou was raped by her mother’s boyfriend when she was seven years old. He was later killed by an angry mob after she testified against him. The shock of the rape and the trauma of feeling that she caused his death stunned her into a silence of nearly 10 years. When she started talking again, she began to write.
Angelou never attended college, but she has more than 30 honorary degrees and taught American studies for years at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. She spoke at least six languages and worked as a newspaper editor in Ghana and Egypt.
Her most famous work is “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” ?This beautiful lady made a difference.
Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
