Maya Angelou, Writer and Activist

This month, we honor Maya Angelou, one of the most influential figures in American literature and civil rights history. Born on April 4, 1928, Angelou's legacy resonates through her poetry, activism, and unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou emerged from a turbulent childhood marked by hardship and trauma to become one of the most celebrated writers of our time. Growing up amidst the entrenched racism and discrimination of the Jim Crow era, she learned to confront adversity with resilience and resolve, shaping her perspective and fueling her determination to challenge injustice wherever she encountered it.

In her writing, Angelou fearlessly confronted the systemic injustices of racism while also celebrating the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. Through her poetry, she not only shed light on the harsh realities of racial discrimination, but also inspired readers to confront their own prejudices and strive for a more equitable society where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

A passionate civil rights activist, Angeleo worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. One of Angelou's most enduring legacies in the civil rights movement was her unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and advocating for social change. Over the course of her 50 year career, until her death in 2014, Angelou worked tirelessly toward her mission.

In honor of Maya Angelou's birthday, let us take a moment to reflect on her profound wisdom and enduring legacy. As we continue to work toward a more just and equitable nation, may we draw inspiration from her words and deeds, remembering that each of us has the power to affect meaningful change.

An excerpt from Angelou’s poem “On the Pulse of Morning”:

Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need 
For this bright morning dawning for you. 
History, despite its wrenching pain 
Cannot be unlived, but if faced 
With courage, need not be lived again.

Lift up your eyes upon 
This day breaking for you. 
Give birth again 
To the dream.