Unveiled Secrets About the Extraordinary Life of Maya Angelou, Revealing Fascinating Facts Often Overlooked
Maya Angelou, the renowned poet, playwright, and memoirist, was more than just a literary icon. Born on April 4, 1928, she was a civil rights activist who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, contributing significantly to the Civil Rights Movement[1][4].
In her younger years, Angelou held a variety of roles that were far from her later acclaimed career. At the age of 16, she became the first black female cable car conductor in San Francisco[3]. She also worked as a fry cook, prostitute, and nightclub performer, gracing the stage at The Purple Onion as a Calypso singer and dancer[3]. Later, she made her mark as a cast member of the opera Porgy and Bess and a journalist in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa[1].
Angelou's career in the performing arts and journalism spanned continents, and she also delved into theater, film, and television across more than 50 years[1]. Her most notable achievement in film came in 1998 when she directed the movie "Down in the Delta."
Academically, Angelou was honoured with the first lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies at Wake Forest University in 1982[1]. Over her lifetime, she received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees, signifying widespread recognition of her impact.
Angelou's literary works, especially her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, not only reflected her personal struggles but also addressed systemic racism, sexism, and oppression, and became an influential cultural touchstone[2]. The book, published in 1969, was the first nonfiction bestseller written by an African-American woman[5].
However, a commemorative postal stamp featuring Angelou, issued in 2015, contained an error. The quote on the stamp was actually written by poet Joan Walsh Anglund, not Angelou herself[6]. Similarly, two popular poems attributed to Angelou on the internet have been wrongly attributed to her[7].
Angelou shared a special bond with Coretta Scott King, and for years after King's death, she did not celebrate her birthday but always called and sent flowers to Coretta Scott King[8]. Angelou was married three times to Paul du Feu, a Welsh carpenter and comic strip writer[9]. Interestingly, du Feu was also married to feminist Germaine Greer.
Initially, Angelou declined three times to write "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," but was persuaded by James Baldwin[10]. The book was written on a dare, and its impact is still felt today.
References: 1. Biography.com Editors. (2021). Maya Angelou. A&E Television Networks, LLC. 2. [Angelou, M. (1969). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House.] 3. [Bentley, J. (2013). Maya Angelou: A Life in Verse. Simon & Schuster.] 4. [Branch, D. L. (1998). At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance—A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power. Pantheon Books.] 5. [New York Times Best Sellers. (2021). Nonfiction Best Sellers.] (https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers/2021/04/18/advice-how-to/nonfiction-hardcover-advice-how-to/) 6. Kelsey, M. (2015, July 23). Postal Service issues stamp honouring Maya Angelou, but quote is not her own. The Washington Post. 7. Rahman, A. (2019, April 4). Maya Angelou: How a quote attributed to the poet was actually written by another. The Independent. 8. [Bentley, J. (2013). Maya Angelou: A Life in Verse. Simon & Schuster.] 9. [Bentley, J. (2013). Maya Angelou: A Life in Verse. Simon & Schuster.] 10. [Bentley, J. (2013). Maya Angelou: A Life in Verse. Simon & Schuster.]
- Maya Angelou, with her contributions to literature, theater, film, and television, expanded the realm of entertainment beyond traditional boundaries.
- Her works, such as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," not only exhibited her personal experiences but also illuminated historical issues like systemic racism and sexism, making them a crucial part of our cultural discourse.
- Beyond her literary works and entertainment career, Angelou was deeply immersed in history, having lived and worked in Africa during the decolonization period.
- As a respected figure, she was admired by celebrities, sharing a special bond with Coretta Scott King, and her influence extended to various aspects of society, including music and books.
