uerite Ann Johnson was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4, 1928. Raised in Stamps, Arkansas she experienced prejudice and discrimination because she was of African American descent. Her life course is chronicled in her biographies and poems. From her southern education and religious beliefs thru adversity to single motherhood and her self classification as an entertainer. She became a prominent and significant voice of our time. The life course of this remarkable woman which, we will all know as Maya Angelou encompasses nonnormative and normative life events. A poet Laureate with over 50 honorary degrees whilst never having attended college is a testament to her and her writings. Recipient of numerous literary awards, her various books,
…show more content…
So much so that she has been asked to write poems for presidents and their inaugurations. She has spoken to a nation and they have heard her. Until her death at age 86, Maya Angelou was an active participant in her life course. During her 40’s and 50’s she appeared in movies and television as well as writing a screenplay for the film Georgia, Georgia, in addition to her continued writing. At age 54 she became Professor of American studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. However, her 65th year was an accomplished year for her, in addition to a role in the movie Poetic Justice, she won a Grammy award for and read “On the pulse of the Morning” during President Bill Clintons inauguration. At 68 she directed her first film “Down in the Delta, which was received well by critics. 74 brought another grammy for her song “A song flung up to heaven” and at 78, she was hosting a show on XM radio. Dr. Angelou continued to write well into her 80’s as evidenced by the poetry she wrote for the documentary the black candle, which she happened to narrate as well. That same year she published Letter to my Daughter. Thru out all this she continued to receive awards and medals, such as the Lincoln Medal, awarded to her in 2008. This is given to people who, “illuminate or reflect Lincoln’s legacy of leadership, service, humanity, wisdom, eloquence and vision in their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes” (Lincoln n.d.). The highest civilian award in the United States is the Medal of Freedom, which President Obama bestowed onto her at age 83. Dr. Angelou has been an inspiration to many, an active participant in her life course. The Legacy of the caged bird continues in charities such as: The legacy of hope foundation which provides medical care for underserved communities throughout the world as
So much so that she has been asked to write poems for presidents and their inaugurations. She has spoken to a nation and they have heard her. Until her death at age 86, Maya Angelou was an active participant in her life course. During her 40’s and 50’s she appeared in movies and television as well as writing a screenplay for the film Georgia, Georgia, in addition to her continued writing. At age 54 she became Professor of American studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. However, her 65th year was an accomplished year for her, in addition to a role in the movie Poetic Justice, she won a Grammy award for and read “On the pulse of the Morning” during President Bill Clintons inauguration. At 68 she directed her first film “Down in the Delta, which was received well by critics. 74 brought another grammy for her song “A song flung up to heaven” and at 78, she was hosting a show on XM radio. Dr. Angelou continued to write well into her 80’s as evidenced by the poetry she wrote for the documentary the black candle, which she happened to narrate as well. That same year she published Letter to my Daughter. Thru out all this she continued to receive awards and medals, such as the Lincoln Medal, awarded to her in 2008. This is given to people who, “illuminate or reflect Lincoln’s legacy of leadership, service, humanity, wisdom, eloquence and vision in their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes” (Lincoln n.d.). The highest civilian award in the United States is the Medal of Freedom, which President Obama bestowed onto her at age 83. Dr. Angelou has been an inspiration to many, an active participant in her life course. The Legacy of the caged bird continues in charities such as: The legacy of hope foundation which provides medical care for underserved communities throughout the world as