Maya Angelou: A Role Model for Men and Women Everywhere
Leadership has been described as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”. Maya Angelou has greatly influenced many men and women to aid in the accomplishment of a common task, the common task to change the world for the better. Maya Angelou inspired by Dr.Martin Luther King became a part of the struggle for civil rights. In 1959 Angelou became the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference by request of Dr.King. From 1961-1962 she was associate editor of The Arab Observer in Cairo,Egypt, and from 1964-1966 she was feature editor of the African Review in Accra,Ghana. When she returned to the United States she was appointed to the Commission for International Woman of the Year by Jimmy Carter.
Through her writing, Angelou raised awareness for women, men, blacks, whites, everyone. She was the voice of the people, a leader. In some of her poems Angelou talks about the lives of black people in America from the time of slavery to the rebellious 1960s. She deals with the harsh and painful sufferings of blacks who were forced into submission. In her poem for the Inauguration of Bill Clinton, “On the Pulse of Morning”, she talks about peace, racial and religious harmony, and social justice for all no matter the racial background, gender, or sexual orientation. Angelou’s mission was to lead America in dreaming a new dream just like Dr.Martin Luther King did and “Give birth again/To the Dream” of equality, and to progress as a nation. She gives our nation the task to come in unity and harmony, “Here, on the pulse of this new day,/ You may haver the grace to look up and out/ And into your sister’s eyes, and into/ Your brother’s face, your country/ And say simply/ Very simply/ With hope-Good morning."