Maya Angelou has died

[scallopsrgreat]

Very sad. Inspirational woman.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27606776

How sad.
I was just looking at some of her poems yesterday. So inspiring.

Wow, I was just about to post a thread about this after bumping the 'Rereading the Second Wave' thread with this news, as some posters in that thread were talking about the impact her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, had on them.

I haven't read it but have just ordered it on the strength of those recommendations.

She grew up extremely poor in the racist US South and was sexually abused by her stepfather at the age of seven, after which she became mute for a number of years. That level of oppression and trauma would be enough to crush anyone, but she became a writer, actor, dancer, educator and civil rights activist.

edition.cnn.com/2014/05/28/us/maya-angelou-obit/

www.amazon.com/Know-Why-Caged-Bird-Sings/dp/0345514408

Proper CNN link:

edition.cnn.com/2014/05/28/us/maya-angelou-obit/

Very sad news. Among many memorable quotes I like:

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.

I am watching her read "And Still I Rise.." with tears running down my face.

Phenomenal woman...

I studied this poem at university and it has stayed with me every since. it is permanently on my mobile phone for when I need reminding of exactly who and what i am...

I read 'I know why the caged bird sings' for gcse English and it has stayed with me ever since. Ds (13 you) has just read it too sad he was just as moved. She was an amazing woman that lived one heck of a life.

RIP

Oh that's sad I only just read I know why the caged bird sings last year :(

My mum also heard her speak WhentheRed. She said similar. She was enthralling.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Amazing woman.

Wonderful, inspiring woman.

I had "but still, like air, I'll rise" as part of a tattoo this year. Shocked at how upset I am by her death
Amazing, incredible woman

Just want to add my feeling of sadness about Maya Angelou's death. I was given IKWACBS by my mum when I was about 13. At 16 we did How To Kill A Mockingbird which seemed to me nothing in comparison.

Today in class I discovered that my 8th grade students (Year 9) had never heard of Die Hard/Bruce Willis, but all knew who Maya Angelou was.

SO glad to hear that Maya Angelou trumps Bruce Willis.

I like that story, kickassangel.

That's a great story, kickassangel.

Love that kickassangel. May this great woman RIP.

That's brilliant kickassangel.