Transcript Maya Angelou.ppt

Maya Angelou
By:
Alcira Vargas
Dr. Maya AngeloU
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Biographical Information
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Birth name: Marguerite Johnson
Stage name: Maya Angelou
Born: April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, MO
Parents: Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter Johnson
Siblings: one brother, Bailey Jr.
Spouse: Tosh Angelos (divorced)
Children: one son, Clyde Bailey “Guy” Johnson
Grandchildren: one grandson, Colin Ashanti Johnson
Education: Lafayette Country Training School, George Washington
High School, and Mission High School
• Jobs: 1st black streetcar conductor in San Francisco, singer, dancer,
poet, author, actress, speaker, night club dancer, Madame, cook,
editor for African newspapers, removed paint at a body shop, and
political activist
~Maya Angelou “You ‘Oughta Knows”~
At the age of 8, she was raped by her mom’s boyfriend.
She was mute for the next 5 years, speaking only occasionally to her
brother.
At 16, she had a son with a neighborhood boy.
Most credited for her auto-biography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Recited her poem “On the Pulse of the Morning” at President Bill
Clinton’s inauguration
Her volume of poetry “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water “Fore I Die”
was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1971.
Was a singer for a while and produced a few songs with her label
Toured with the play “Porgy and Bess” throughout Europe
Acted in the television show “Roots”
Involved in African-American political movement
She was the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference during the 1960’s.
In the 1970’s, she was a member of the Bicentennial Commission
(appointed by President Gerald Ford) and the Commission of the
International Woman of the Year (appointed by President Jimmy
Carter).
Given a lifetime appointment in 1981 as Reynolds Professor of American
Studies at Wake Forest University
Enjoys her parody on Saturday Night Live
If one is lucky, a solitary
fantasy can totally
transform a million realities.
- Maya Angelou
There is no greater
agony than bearing
an untold story
inside you.
- Maya Angelou
LifE!
What is Maya’s Historical Contribution?
Dr. Maya Angelou did more for America, as well as the world,
than we will ever know. From writing numerous poems and books,
singing, dancing, acting, and being an inspirational speaker, she
has changed the course of many people’s lives. She brought any
form of abuse into the open, and made it more acceptable. By
showing us her personal tragedy in I Know Why the Caged
Bird Sings, she broke many barriers in today’s society. Also, she
made literary history in writing poems that didn’t rhyme, but had a
beauty that was unsurpassable.
She is famous for saying, “We all should know that
diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must
understand that all the threads of the tapestry are
equal in value no matter what their color.” This is yet
again another example of what she has done for
modern history. Dr. Angelou continually speaks out
against the racism in our country 100 years ago and
today. She wants everyone to be treated equally and
justly. With her rich words and majestic dignity, Dr.
Maya Angelou has changed the face of lower-class
America and become an icon worldwide.
Something I
About
Maya Angelou
As I researched her, I found that she
always had an abundance of confidence.
She took horrible childhood trauma and
created an inspiring legacy out of it. I
love someone, such as Dr. Angelou, who
looks into the face of adversity and says,
“You won’t break me.” That is exactly
what Maya did and I applaud her.
Works Cited
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"Maya Angelou." Who2? Biographies. Who2?, 2005. Answers.com 07 Feb.
2006. http://www.answers.com/topic/maya-angelou
"Maya Angelou." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.
Columbia University Press., 2003. Answers.com 07 Feb. 2006.
http://www.answers.com/topic/maya-angelou
"Maya Angelou." The Chronology of American Literature. Houghton
Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 07 Feb. 2006.
http://www.answers.com/topic/maya-angelou
"Maya Angelou." Biographies. Biogs.com, 2005. Answers.com 07 Feb. 2006.
http://www.answers.com/topic/maya-angelou
"Maya Angelou." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2005. Answers.com 07 Feb. 2006.
http://www.answers.com/topic/maya-angelou
Gracia, Maria. San Pedro High School. “Maya Angelou – 1928”
http://www.ncteamericancollection.org/litmap/angelou_maya_ca.htm
“Maya Angelou Quotes”
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maya/_angelou.html
“Maya Angelou” http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/87
“Maya Angelou – Using Your Life”
http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/20020404/tows_slide_20020404_06.jh
tml
“Maya Angelou” html://www.mayaangelou.com/ShortBio.html
“Maya Angelou Quotes”
html://www.afroamhistory.about.com/od/mayaangelou/a/mangelouquot
es.htm