Maya Angelou Phenomenal Woman

Many years ago, I gave a friend the book by Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman. I remember the first time she read it and watching her face light up as if an angel had just touched her; maybe she was, in a sense. I have always been a fan of Maya Angelou. I flinched this morning when I read that she had passed. Although we had never met, I felt like I lost an old friend. Amazing and phenomenal people have that effect on those who have heard or read their words. Along with being an amazing writer, Maya Angelou had as beautiful a speaking voice as I can remember hearing.

“Statement from Dr. Maya Angelou’s Family:

Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.” MayaAngelou.com

One of my first mentors had the opportunity to listen to Maya Angelou speak at a luncheon about 30 years ago; she had taken her daughter to the luncheon. Both of them had shared many times over the years the depth and resonance they experienced from being in Maya Angelou’s presence.

I remember the first time I had seen the public service announcement for the United Negro College Fund on television. Hearing Maya Angelou’s voice reciting her famous poem “And Still I Rise”, I was inspired even as a young man who was quite lost. Without knowing how or why, I could feel her presence in my heart and gut. Maya Angelou moved me at a time in my life when very few people were able to penetrate my outer walls. I remember thinking that when I get older, I want to earn enough money to give to the United Negro College Fund just based on that commercial alone. I worked at the Urban League of Greater Madison with that spirit within me many years later. Her voice and words have never left me.

Maya Angelou Phenomenal Woman – And Still I Rise PSA

About 15 years ago I had read the book by Maya Angelou I know why the caged bird sings. I am not going to lie, I did not understand all of it, the parts I did understand shook me at my core. Actually, the parts I didn’t understand also shook me because I knew she was speaking about something that I was not mature enough to grasp. There was a part of me that did understand because I felt great pain, empathy, and compassion.

Maya Angelou Phenomenal Woman – And Still I Rise

“You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread 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 back yard.

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.” Maya Angelou

I was reflecting earlier on the fact that in the last year Maya Angelou and Nelson Mandela have both passed, two of our great voices, leaders and activists. They both achieved notoriety for their strength, courage and wisdom. I think it is safe to say that their legacies will be with us for a long time.

I hope that the peace they both worked so hard for us to achieve inspires us to call on some of the strength, courage, and wisdom they shared with us.

Other posts you may enjoy:

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25 Signs You’re Succeeding At Life (Even if it doesn’t feel like it)

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Michael Swerdloff

Providence Holistic Counseling Services