Who Am I?
Before she became a famous author, Maya Angelou had been a cook, an actor, a cable car conductor and a dancer. Even though she had many interests and jobs, Maya Angelou’s true love was writing. Born in Missouri, USA, her childhood was not an easy one, and she was seriously abused at the age of 8. This was understandably a very traumatic incident, and it influenced much of her writing.
What Am I Known For?
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is her first autobiographical work. It was published in 1969 and became a much-acclaimed publication, later being made into a movie. It made her an international star and allowed her to write full-time. Many of Maya’s books focus on the struggles in her life. But she had the courage to tell her story and let people know how she overcame difficult times. Her amazing creativity led her to write poetry, memoirs and much more. In 2011, she was awarded The Presidential Medal Of Freedom and more than 30 honorary degrees in her lifetime. Her remarkable career as a courageous and creative writing artist has inspired many to share how they have coped with hard times.
How About You?
Are you courageous enough to be open about the struggles you encounter?
Who do you admire in public life who shows courage to stand up for what they believe in? How do they get their message across?
Other Amazing People (you can find them on the website)
Two other amazing women who showed courage through their writing were Wang Zhenyi of China and Rachel Carson of the USA. Zhenyi was a poet and wrote about the difficult situation poor women faced in rural China in the 18th century. At the time of her writing, women were not educated or considered equal to men.
Other Useful Resources (available on the website)
Our Teachers’ Guide is a handy starting place to explore courage or creativity. This guide helps teachers recognise and encourage these strengths in the classroom.
Subscribers can find this helpful resource by logging in. If you are not a subscriber, you can access this resource, and many more, by starting a free trial.
Photo: John Mathew Smith & http://www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0