Maya Angelou, She Inspires | Pick Up Sticks Jewelry Company

In celebration of Women’s History Month Pick Up Sticks Jewelry Company is featuring a prominent woman and highlighting the impact she had on the world. And, to add a little more fun to the history lesson, we are selecting jewelry charms that embody each woman’s unique personality and accomplishments. Today we are celebrating American poet, author, and humanitarian, Maya Angelou.

Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou was born in St. Louis, on April 4, 1928. Known as “Maya,” Angelou was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet, and civil rights activist best known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African-American woman.

Finding Her Voice

Maya’s childhood was a difficult one. Her parents split when she was very young, and after suffering abuse and trauma at age seven, she withdrew and was mute for five years. Encouraged by her grandmother, who introduced her to literature, she gradually emerged as a talented artist. Through her powerful writings, Angelou has inspired generations of women, African-Americans, and all people who struggle to overcome prejudice, discrimination, and abuse.

Inspiring Many

Angelou was a Renaissance woman on many levels, treating life as a smorgasbord to be fully experienced, and she used those experiences to inspire others to reach beyond trauma and damaging stereotypes. Her seven autobiographical books entail a remarkable life in the arts, diplomacy, travel, and activism, and provide powerful insights into the evolution of black women in the 20th century.

Angelou’s writings have altered society for the better, bringing greater diversity into the theater and into literature. She became the first black woman to have a screenplay produced as a film, and her writings have garnered numerous awards, including being nominated for a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and a Pulitzer Prize.

Charming Maya

Pick Up Sticks Jewelry charms that capture Angelou’s incredible journey include “She Inspires,” “Courage,” and our “Free Bird” Trinket. “She Inspires” of course references the inspiration she has instilled in so many to move beyond adversity. This charm also states “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage,” which truly echos her essence. “Courage” is a small charm with big words: “Don’t be afraid to fail; be afraid not to try,” as evidenced in Maya’s many and diverse endeavors. “Free Bird” references her groundbreaking book while celebrating freedom and hope.

Sources

“Maya Angelou”. En.Wikipedia.Org, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou.
“Angelou, Maya – National Women’S Hall Of Fame”. National Women’S Hall Of Fame, 2019, https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/maya-angelou/.