Celebrated Author And Poet, Maya Angelou, Passes Away

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Published

May 28, 2014

Prolific author, poet, and one of the most celebrated voices in modern literature, Maya Angelou, has passed away peacefully in her North Carolina home. She was 86. Throughout the course of her life and career, Angelou produced several autobiographies, the first of which – I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing – brought her to national recognition. During her career she published over thirty books of fiction, non-fiction and poetry alike, received numerous awards for her writing, and was bestowed over thirty honorary doctoral degrees.

In a statement, her family said of Angelou, “She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.“

Public figures and world leaders have paid tribute to the woman who so fiercely stood and talked about issues such as gender and race. US President Barack Obama spoke of her passing in a written statement, “Over the course of her remarkable life, Maya was many things: an author, poet, civil rights activist, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer and dancer. But above all, she was a storyteller, and her greatest stories were true.“

“A childhood of suffering and abuse actually drove her to stop speaking, but the voice she found helped generations of Americans find their rainbow amidst the clouds, and inspired the rest of us to be our best selves.“

“Michelle and I join millions around the world in remembering one of the brightest lights of our time: a brilliant writer, a fierce friend and a truly phenomenal woman.“

Others have taken to social media, paying tribute to the late poet through her own words.

‘I am woman phenomenally. Phenomenally woman, that’s me’. Maya Angelou

— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) May 28, 2014

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – MayaAngelou

— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) May 28, 2014

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time”. RIP Maya Angelou, THE INFLUENTIAL VOICE OF OUR TIME!

— Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) May 28, 2014