Maya Angelou: A Phenomenal Woman (Black History W/O)Feb 26 '03 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line I have yet to find any of her contemporaries who have accomplished as much as she has.
How do you even begin to describe a woman possessed with so much talent? Maybe the title of one of her well-known works is enough, “Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems for Women”. published in 1995. “...Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me...” Born in 1928 in St. Louis, MI, and raised in Arkansas and later San Francisco, Maya Angelou’s rise from poverty to acclaim in so many areas of the arts is nothing short of phenomenal, especially considering she was born poor in the segregated south, was a victim of rape at the age of 8, and an unwed mother at 16. There was very little opportunity for women to excel so dramatically during this era, and even less for a woman of color. She began her journey into the arts via the theater. Many may be surprised to learn, long before she’d written I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in 1970, Maya had established herself as a reputable stage actress, dancer, singer, political activist and playwright, having given notable performances, such as: Ruby in the European tour version of Porgy and Bess in 1954, and also accolades in the Off-Broadway musical/cabaret Calypso in 1957 – The previous year the related music was released, Miss Calypso. This album has been re-mastered and can still be purchased – For those of you who’d like to see if she is able to sing as well as she writes. She went on to star as White Queen in Jean Genet’s critically acclaimed Off- Broadway play, The Blacks in 1960. She played the title role in Bertold Brecht’s play Mother Courage in 1964. Actress, singer, dancer, poetess, author, playwright, educator, director and documentary film maker – Marguerite Johnson is the definitive phenomenal woman This woman has accomplished so much; it would be impossible to chronicle it all without turning this article into a novel. Here is a listing of some of her accomplishments and career highlights: The Early years (1950’s - 60’s) 1. She was San Francisco’s first African-American and female streetcar conductor. 2. Received a full dance scholarship, which introduced her to the arts. 3. She was the editor for The Arab Observer – The only English-language news weekly in the Middle East at that time. 4. Taught at The University of Ghana. 5. Was the northern coordinator for The Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Expansion (1970’s – 80’s) 1. Published her autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in 1970, followed by several other autobiographical works. 2. Published her first volume of poetry, ”Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die” in 1971. 3. Her screenplay, Georgia, Georgia was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. 4. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway play, Look Away in 1973. 5. Was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role as Kunta Kente’s grandmother in Alex Haley’s Roots television mini-series. Still Going Strong (1990’s – Present) 1. Tapped by President Clinton to be the first poet used at an inauguration since Robert Frost, Maya delivered her heralded poem, On The Pulse of Morning. in 1993. 2. Was appointed Reynolds Professor (a lifetime appointment) at Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 3. Signed a contract with Hallmark to create her own line of cards and assorted trinkets. 4. Directed Alfre Woodard in the 1999 feature film, Down In The Delta. 5. Recorded an album of poetry and song with Ashford and Simpson in 1996, for which she received a Grammy Award. Miscellaneous facts: 1. Maya is fluent in 7 languages. 2. Has received 50 or more honorary degrees. 3. Taught modern dance at The Rome Opera House and The Hambina Theatre in Tel Aviv. 4. Awarded lifetime membership to the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002. 5. Named by Writer’s Digest in 1999, as one of the top 100 best writers of the 20th Century. Believe it or not, the listing above doesn’t even cover half of the honors, or list half her accomplishments. Anyone of us would be blessed to accomplish one tenth of what she has in the 70 years she’s been on this planet. Hers is a remarkable tale, so complicated and rich, it took 5 autobiographical books to chronicle it all. What motivates this woman to keep expanding her range, to keep teaching, to keep reminding us all that Black, White, Yellow or Brown and different in so many ways, we are bound by a common thread – Humanity? In everything she has done, she has been relentless and focused – I think even this trait is best explained in another one of her poems: AND STILL I RISE You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. Do yourself a favor – In honor of Black History Month, pick up a book of poetry by Maya, or check out either Calypso, or her Grammy Award winning collaboration with Ashford & Simpson on CD, Been Found. She is one of those people for whom Black History Month was created – Celebrate her talents – Celebrate her life - Embrace her humanity. She is history itself - A history still being written. 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