After a long and fruitful life Maya Angelou died on Wednesday, 28 May, at 86 years of age. She was an educator and a poet, an activist and actress. I saw her twice in person and both times she moved me by the lyricism of her voice and the power of her story. I will never forget the stories of her childhood when, in a deep and resounding voice, she told us how she had been voiceless for so many years. She is a heroine for every child who is told that he or she is not good enough, for every young person betrayed by a “family” member or persecuted by a repressive educational system.
May her voice never again be silenced even in death!
The New York Times offers a thorough review of her impact on all of life. See the special section compiled by them.
Only Maya Angelou could leave us this final message:
Brother Frederick Mueller