Internationally respected poet, writer and educator, Maya Angelou has changed the lives of thousands through her writings and personal offerings. My favorite piece by Maya Angelou is "Phenomenal Woman." She reveals her self-confidence, style and inner strength of her femininity. She is true to herself and I respect her for that. She knows she is not perfect and she goes against the fashion magazine beauty. She knows she is not a Barbie doll, but that is why she is so beautiful. Much of Angelou's writing stresses the themes of courage, perseverance, self-acceptance, and realization of one's full potential. In her works she frequently presents strong female role models.
             The reader need not be of African-American background or a member of the female gender to appreciate the common and humane touch these poems possess as they gently reach for truths often lost in more lofty works that only serve to obscure meaning and thus lose audiences by the millions. Angelou brings back the heart of humanity with her poetry. ( Epinions.com )
             She is known for, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," and "The Heart of a Woman." She also produced and starred in the play, "Cabaret for Freedom," and in "The Blacks." She also wrote the original screenplay and musical score for the film," Georgia, Georgia." Angelou was the author and executive producer of a 5- part miniseries, "Three Way Choice." Maya Angelou was not only multi-talented, but she was extremely generous. Her personal outreach to improve conditions for women in third world countries, primarily in Africa has changed the lives of thousands less privileged.
             Angelou shows her readers that you can only be happy if you accept yourself for who you are. She shows us that we are all beautiful in our own ways. We all need to convince ourselves of our own self-worth. To me, Maya Angelou represents nobility, wisdom, poise, exuber...