and Malcolm X, and devoted her life to being a tireless voice for women and black people - and for an openhearted vision of humanity where all could find their place. She was also a journalist who worked in Africa, a historian, songwriter, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer and singer.Īnd as an activist, she was one of the Civil Rights Movement’s most prominent women, who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. We know her well as a memoirist, essayist and poet, who authored several books of poetry, three books of essays, and a list of plays, movies, and television shows. The famed author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), the first of her seven autobiographies for which she became known, lived a long and storied life. RELATED: Why Maya Angelou Stopped Speaking – and How She Found a Voice that Changed the World Her lifetime of achievement was rewarded in 2000 when she received the National Medal of Arts, and in 2010 President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the country’s highest honors. In 1993, she was invited to recite her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at Bill Clinton’s inauguration, making her the first poet since 1961 to deliver an inaugural recitation. “If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.Maya Angelou was one of America’s most beloved and celebrated poets and authors, with dozens of awards and over 50 honorary degrees attesting to her inspirational role at the center of American life. “Courage-you develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn’t want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself.” ♥ 25. “All great achievements require time.” ♥ 24. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.” ♥ 23. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.” ♥ 22. “A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ♥ 21. “The only thing is, people have to develop courage.” ♥ 20. Get a little success, and then just get a little more.” ♥ 19. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” ♥ 18. It has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet." ♥ 17. “We need joy as we need air.
"We are only as blind as we want to be." ♥ 16. "We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ♥ 15. “I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.” ♥ 13. Then when you know better, do better." ♥ 12. "Do the best you can until you know better. “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” ♥ 11. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ♥ 9. “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” ♥ 8. Passion alone will destroy its walls.” ♥ 7. Patience alone will not build the temple. “Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. "When people show you who they are, believe them." ♥ 6. “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.” ♥ 5. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.” ♥ 4. “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. “Stand up straight and realize who you are.
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated." ♥ 2.