In a celebrity fascinated world such as ours today, the images of strong, educated, grounded and spiritual women are close to none. We have popular women rappers today, who under the guise of art and music call themselves poets. Many of the women in Hollywood are considered and attractive, but they lack the grace and poise of a lady. Shelves in bookstores are filled with women writers telling stories of sex romps with male nannies, sex romps with male celebrities and sex romps with male politicians. Great literature has taken a back seat to tell all sex romps and ghetto fiction.
Where is the voice for today’s young women?
Dr. Maya Angelou is the unequivocal example of a graceful woman. Her words throughout the years have uplifted women, spoke of courage for families and moved the nation as a whole.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” which was published in 1969 is Dr. Angelou’s brilliantly written autobiography. She frankly discusses her feelings of loneliness and isolations as she struggled with the horrific truth of childhood rape. This is a topic that affects many women today. A lot of young women today, go through life harboring feelings of guilt and shame over past wrongs done to them as little girls. The autobiography also speaks of racism her family endured by from white neighbors and sexism as she got older. This is the first of many novels detailing her growth as a woman and a writer.
Her poetry will embrace you and touch you deep in your soul. In January, 1993 she had the honor of writing and reciting an original piece of poetry at Bill Clinton’s Presidential inauguration. Her poem that morning “On the Pulse of Morning” spoke of a new day and new beginnings.
Dr. Angelou won a Grammy Award in 1993 for Best Spoken Word Album for “On the Pulse of Morning. Her career also includes a Tony Award nomination and many academic honors. Yale University awarded her with a fellowship and in Italy she served as a Rockefeller Foundation Scholar. She also taught at the University of Ghana, Wake Forest University and The University of Kansas. Dr. Angelou is the recipient of several honorary doctorates.
Are her words relevant for today’s young woman?
At 79 years young, her poise, grace and accomplishments are to be greatly admired. Through her words you will experience wisdom and a lesson of self love.
We are bombarded with self help books and know it all gurus, but with Dr. Angelou get guidance from the heart and words from life. Her words will forever be relevant; her life is to be admired. Times do change but young women throughout the years have one thing in common, the desire to fulfill their dreams without carrying the burden of past hurts. Dr. Maya Angelou is more than a voice for today’s young women; she is also an inspiration and a blessing to those who read her work.
SOURCES:
Official site for Dr. Maya Angelou: http://www.mayaangelou.com/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou
William J. Clinton Foundation: http://www.clintonfoundation.org/legacy/012093-remarks-by-maya-angelou-inaugural-poem.htm
