Maya Angelou, born, Marguerite Johnson, was sent along with her brother to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, when her parents were divorced. Growing up, she learned what it was to be a black girl in a world whose boundaries were set by whites: “As a child she always dreamed of waking to find her ‘nappy black hair’ metamorphosed to a long blonde bob because she felt life was better for a white girl …showed first 75 words of 1238 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1238 total…Carolina. Maya Angelou continues to be one of the great voices of contemporary literature and a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer, and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances on college campuses, spreading her legendary wisdom. As Melanie Rigney states, “A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves, Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception” (45).