Maya Angelou, originally named Marguerite Johnson, was an extraordinary writer, performer, and teacher. She was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, Bailey Johnson, worked as a dietician, and her mother, Vivian Johnson, was a nurse. After her parents separated, Maya and her siblings moved to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. She spent her childhood living between her grandmother’s and mother’s homes.
When Maya was about eight years old, she went through a very difficult experience that caused her to stop speaking for nearly five years. During this time, she found comfort in reading and discovered the works of famous authors like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. A family friend, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, introduced her to these authors, helping Maya to eventually find her voice again through literature.
In 1940, Maya moved to California to live with her mother. She finished high school there and had her only son, Guy Johnson. Over the years, she worked in many different jobs, including as a cook, waitress, and dancer. Her talents in dancing, singing, and acting led her to perform in the international opera “Porgy and Bess.” Maya also spent time in Egypt and Ghana, where she honed her skills as a writer.
Returning to the United States, Maya became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, working with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Her writing talents opened opportunities in the film industry, where she wrote screenplays, acted in TV series like “Roots,” and directed movies such as “Down in the Delta.”
Maya Angelou was a prolific writer, drawing inspiration from her own life experiences. Her autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” published in 1970, is one of her most famous works. She wrote many more autobiographies, poetry collections, and children’s books. In 1993, she wrote a poem for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration, and in 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Maya Angelou dedicated her life to bridging racial divides and promoting equality. Through her writing, activism, and teaching, she aimed to create a world that embraced diversity and inclusion. Her efforts shone a light on the challenges faced by African Americans and inspired many to fight for justice.
Maya Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86. Her legacy lives on, encouraging us to stand up against injustices and use our voices to make a positive impact, just as she did throughout her remarkable life.
Read excerpts from Maya Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Reflect on how her early life experiences shaped her voice as a writer. Write a short essay on how literature can be a powerful tool for self-expression and healing.
Create a timeline of Maya Angelou’s life, highlighting key events and achievements. Use images, quotes, and brief descriptions to illustrate her journey. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how each event contributed to her legacy.
Research Maya Angelou’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. In groups, role-play a meeting between Maya and other leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X. Discuss the strategies they might have used to promote equality and justice.
Write a poem inspired by Maya Angelou’s themes of courage and resilience. Share your poem with the class and explain how Maya’s work influenced your writing. Discuss the importance of using your voice to address social issues.
Design a vision board that represents Maya Angelou’s dream of a better world. Include images, words, and symbols that reflect diversity, inclusion, and justice. Present your vision board and explain how it connects to Maya’s legacy.
Welcome to EA Homeschool Academy.
Maya Angelou, whose given name was Marguerite Johnson, was a writer, performer, and professor. She was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, Bailey Johnson, was a dietician, and her mother, Vivian Johnson, was a nurse. After her parents’ marriage ended, Maya and her siblings were sent by train to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. She spent much of her childhood living either with her grandmother or her mother.
Around the age of eight, she survived a traumatic experience, which led her to silence her voice for about five years. Maya learned to read at a young age and spent many hours reading, as she truly enjoyed it. She appreciated works by authors such as Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Douglas Johnson, and James Weldon Johnson. A family friend, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, introduced her to these authors, and through their work, Maya would eventually find her voice again.
In 1940, Maya went to live with her mother in California, where she completed her high school diploma and gave birth to her only son, Guy Johnson. For the next several years, she worked in various roles, including as a cook, waitress, and dancer. Early in her professional career, Angelou’s talent as a dancer, singer, and actress earned her a role in the international opera “Porgy and Bess.” For a time, she lived in Egypt and Ghana, where she developed her craft as a writer.
She eventually returned to the United States and became an active member of the Civil Rights Movement, working alongside notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Her talents as a writer opened doors in the film industry, and she wrote television and movie screenplays, acted in TV series like “Roots” in 1977, and directed movies like “Down in the Delta” in 1998.
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou was always writing, often drawing inspiration from her own experiences. One of her most notable works is her autobiography, published in 1970, titled “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” She went on to write many more autobiographies, collections of poetry, and children’s books.
In 1993, former President Bill Clinton asked Angelou to write a poem for his inauguration speech. In 2011, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama. Throughout her lifetime, she received numerous awards and honorary doctoral degrees for her contributions to the world.
Maya Angelou, like many others in the African American community, was committed to erasing the racial divide. She sought to positively impact the world through her writings, acts of activism, teachings, and words of wisdom, which catapulted her onto the global stage. She dreamed of living in an integrated society that celebrated diversity and inclusion for all, and she worked tirelessly to shed light on the struggles of African Americans.
Maya Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86. Today, we can continue her work by standing up against injustices in our communities. We can use our influence to bring light to the world, just as Dr. Maya Angelou did during her lifetime.
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Maya – A civilization known for its advanced writing, art, and architecture, flourishing in Central America before the arrival of Europeans. – The Maya civilization left behind impressive ruins that continue to fascinate historians and archaeologists.
Angelou – Referring to Maya Angelou, a renowned American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. – Angelou’s autobiographical work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” is a powerful exploration of her early life and struggles.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. – Studying literature allows students to explore diverse cultures and historical periods through storytelling.
Writing – The activity or skill of composing text for various purposes, including storytelling, communication, and expression. – Writing essays about historical events helps students develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
Activism – The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. – The activism of the 1960s played a crucial role in advancing civil rights and social justice in the United States.
Civil – Relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters. – The civil rights movement sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.
Rights – Legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement. – The Bill of Rights guarantees fundamental freedoms to all American citizens.
Equality – The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. – Literature often explores themes of equality and the struggles of characters to achieve it in society.
Legacy – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. – Shakespeare’s legacy continues to influence modern literature and theater.
Justice – The quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this. – Many novels address themes of justice, exploring the consequences of its presence or absence in society.
