Amazing Facts About Dr. Maya Angelou by Naa Kordai
DR MAYA ANGELOU - AN ICONIC AUTHOR, WRITER, POET
The late Dr Maya Angelou is a global renaissance woman, born April 4th 1928 and passed May 28, 2014 at the age of 86. She was an American Poet, Author, Actress, Historian, Educator, Dancer, Playwright, Civil Rights Activist, Producer and Director. She spoke five languages these being Fanti, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Arabic. Her poems and writings were inspirational and profound. She was a poet I have always admired. Her eloquence and the sharing of her wisdom with the world would be missed. Her writings are both inspirational and educational and these have made a difference in the lives of so many people. She emphasized the importance of putting the rainbow into other people's dark clouds. We have wars, disasters, pain and so much hatred in the world yet Dr Angelou had a way of healing our hearts with her soothing words. She would be missed.
DR MAYA ANGELOU - Phenomenal Black Woman
Some amazing facts about Dr Maya Angelou: born Marguerite Ann Johnson on 4th April 1928, in St Louis, Missouri, died May 28, 2014.
Dr Angelou knew the power of words and used them amazingly to inspire, entertain, educate and elevate. She had written several books, poems, produced films and acted in others. She led on how we can use our God given talents and abilities to change lives and to make a difference in the world.
In 1960, Dr Angelou moved to Cairo, Egypt where she served as Editor of 'The Arab Observer' an English language weekly paper. In 1961 she moved to Ghana, West Africa where she taught at the University of Ghana's School of Music and Drama. Whilst she was there, she also worked as a feature editor of 'The African Review as well as submitting work for 'The Ghanaian Times' Dr Angelou was fluent in so many languages which was a brilliant communication tool for her.
In 1970, she published her Book, 'I know Why The Caged Bird Sings'. This book was eventually made into a film. In 1977, she acted in 'Roots' the late Alex Haley's film and 'Poetic Justice' in 1993, a film directed by John Singleton. The Films she directed and acted in are The Black Candle: A Kwanza Celebration; Down in the Delta; Poetic Justice and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Some of her recent Books are Letter to My Daughter;The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou; I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and I Shall Not Be Moved.
Dr Angelou received over 30 honorary degrees and a recipient of the Reynold's Professor of American Studies at Wake University. Amongst her many accolades, she served on two presidential committees. In 2001, Dr Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts and in 2008, the Lincoln Medal and received 3 Grammys to her name.
She had the exceptional skills in using words to captivate her audience and unique sense of writing. Her intelligence and humility shone throughout her 86 years. She had a calm, warm personality and presented herself with such elegance, grace and humility.
Dr Maya Angelou recites 'Still I Rise' - A profound poem
Dr Angelou's speech at Andrew Young's 75th birthday celebration
