“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.”
- Name: Maya Angelou
- Born: April 4, 1928
- Deceased: May 28, 2014
- From: St. Louis, Missouri
- Occupation: Author, poet, civil rights activist
- Works: Caged Bird
- Awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010), Mother Teresa Award (2006), National Women’s Hall of Fame (1998), Pulitzer Prize Nominee (1972), and many more.
- Fun Facts: Maya Angelou spoke six different languages; French, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, and Fante! Alongside her poetry and autobiographies, Maya Angelou also wrote two cookbooks! These books were titles “Hallelujah! The Welcome Table” and “Great Food, All Day Long.”
Maya Angelou, from St. Louis, MO, was an American author and activist. Her autobiographies chronicled her life, from her youth’s hardships to the wisdom she learned in her adulthood. While writing was her passion, Angelou had other interests, such as acting. Her role in the play, Look Away, landed her a Tony nomination in 1993. Throughout Angelou’s career, she worked for the rights of African-American citizens as well. She worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Maya Angelou passed on May 28th, 2014, leaving a lasting legacy.
Handout
To download the Handout:
- Click on the image
- Right-click and select Save Image As…
- Write a description on the line and decorate.
- Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
- Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
- Check out more resources and ways to celebrate MLK can be found on these links as well as our official Day of Service opportunity to volunteer.
This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.