The Adventures of Maya Angelou By Jasmine N. Stewart

Her life Marguerite Annie Johnson Born April 4, 1928 After her parent divorced , Maya and her younger brother Bailey moved to Stamps, Arkansas to live with her grandmother. Bailey unable to pronounce her name called her “my” and that is where she got “Maya” from. Age 7 she was raped by her mother boyfriend , her uncle killed her attacker. She felt ashamed and went mute.

Cont. At the age of 13 , she began to talk again when she moved to San Francisco with her mother and brother. Dropped out of school in her teen to become the first African American cable car conductor. Returned to school and became pregnant at the age of 16 to her first son ,Guy. Married to a Greek sailor name Anastasios Angelopolos, she became a nightclub singer and the is where her career truly started to flourished. Through her life, she worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm x, James Baldwin, the roots cast and much more.

Thesis Statement . She is an accessible writer who became such a powerful person and helped many African Americans but personally she has overcome more obstalces then the average person.

Open Question How did Maya Angelou help the African American Community?

evideince “Angelou involved herself in television production and remained active in the Civil Rights Movement, working more closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who requested that Angelou serve as Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.” (Academy of Achievements ) “ When I was around ten years old, those scruffy children caused me the most painful and confusing experience…The Girls had tired of mocking Momma and turned to the other means of agitation.” ( I know why the caged bird sings) “ His pants were open and his ‘ thing was standing out of his britches by itself…. Then there was the pain . A breaking and eatering even the senses are torn apart. The act of rape on an eight year old body…”( I know why the caged bird sings)

Reason The reason why I chose this topic for my history paper is because of how much Maya Angelou has been through and she never gave up on her dream. Maya Angelou is not just an amazing writer. She is a poet, playwright, actress, and so much more. When she was growing up her life had many amazing ups and terrible downs. In spite of her trials, she accomplished more than the average human could in a lifetime. During the time of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya was inspired to write Still I rise even though he was murdered on her birthday.

Outcome I’ve learned that a person should never give up on their dream , no matter how big or small. That you can tell she loves life , even if she having a bad day she will be thankful for just that one day.

significance Maya Angelou played a important role in the Civil rights movement. Working with Malcom x and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Honored with the presidential medal of arts also highest civilian honor in the nation which is the the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Phenomenal Woman

Work Cited Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House, 1970. Print. Esten, Hugh. "Maya Angelou Biography." Academy of Achievement. The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation, 31 May 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. "Maya Angelou - Phenomenal Woman." YouTube. YouTube, 25 May 2010. Web. 27 Mar. 2012.