Maya Angelou

In this unit, kids discover Maya Angelou–as a child (named Marguerite Johnson at birth), as a young mother struggling to support herself and her son, and as one of our country’s greatest poets, writers, and activists. In addition to her natural talent, Angelou’s story is one of determination, courage, and guts, one that brought her recognition by Presidents Ford, Carter, Clinton, and Obama along with her creative peers and activist colleagues.

Future musicians and dancers will be inspired by her willingness to take whatever jobs she could find and to try new creative outlets. Through many examples of her poetry and prose, writers, poets, and all readers will come to appreciate how she was able to use simple words and profound metaphors to express truths about humankind. Future activists will find examples of how she harnessed her creativity for justice. And everyone who comes upon a U.S. quarter with her likeness will feel very much in-the-know about why she merits the honor.