Maya Angelou Research Paper

Angelou, Maya , formerly known as Marguerite Johnson, is one of the most influential Renaissance women of our time. She is known for her books and poems such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “Gather Together in My Name”. Not only is she a well renowned author and poet, Maya Angelou was also an active supporter of the civil rights movement during the 50’s and the 60’s.

Throughout Maya Angelou’s life, she has gone through many obstacles which later inspired her to write books and poems. Maya Angelou spent her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas with her paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson and her brother, Bailey. Growing up, her parents were not a big part of her life until she was six years old. On December of 1934, Maya’s father picked her and her brother
up to move in with their mother, Vivian Baxter, at St.
Louis, Missouri. There, Maya and Bailey acquainted with their mother’s family and boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. Moving from a small town to a big city was difficult transition for Maya and her brother. As a result, Maya and Bailey were traumatized. Maya found comfort in Mr. Freeman, though, and thought of him as her real father. One day when her mother was out and Bailey was playing baseball outside, Mr. Freeman raped Maya; she was only seven years old. Mr. Freeman told her not to tell anyone what happened between them or he will kill her or Bailey. The little girl’s body could not contain the rape and she eventually fell sick. When Maya’s mother found bloodstains on her daughter, she swiftly took her to the hospital. Maya eventually told Bailey what Mr. Freeman did to her and he was arrested. Maya had to go to court and answer questions about her rape, and Mr.
Freeman was sentenced one year in prison. Unusually, Mr. Freeman was let out the next day. He was found dead on the streets, apparently kicked to death. Maya took Mr. Freeman’s death upon her shoulders. She thought her testifying in court was the cause of his death, and she decided to talk to no one but Bailey. After eight months, Maya and Bailey were sent back to Stamps, Arkansas.

Back at Stamps, Maya and Bailey began their studies. Maya, still mute, did incredibly well in school aside from her talking disability. She came across a lady named Mrs. Flowers who noticed her muteness. Mrs. Flowers inspired Maya to talk and introduced her to the art of literature. Maya felt liked and special with Mrs. Flowers; a feeling she rarely felt. In the 1940’s, Maya was recognized for her academic achievements at her grammar-school, Lafayette County Training School’s graduation. After her graduation, Annie Henderson decided to send Maya and Bailey back to their mother due to the South’s racial condition. Maya and Bailey were sent to Oakland, California where their mother currently resided. Maya continued to do well in school and even began taking drama and dance classes. Although Maya did well academically, she also liked the feeling of independence. As a result, she dropped out of high school and landed a job as a streetcar conductor for the Market Street Railway Company. Maya was the first ever African American female to become San Francisco’s streetcar conductor. She later returned to high school and became pregnant with her first child, Clyde.

From the 70’s to now, Maya Angelou continues to publish inspiring books and poems about her life. She also received many awards from her writing. In 1993, Maya composed a poem for former President Clinton’s inauguration. Her poem titled, “On the Pulse of the Morning” was heard worldwide. To this day, Maya Angelou influences many people with her work and success