The Hope to Be Like Maya Angelou’s of Yesterday; Growing Into Woman-ness

Copyright 2014    Aleasa M. Word     All rights reserved

Today we lost a legend, an icon of sorts.  Dr. Maya Angelou went to sleep and woke up with angels today.  Many know her for her wonderful poems and books as well as her gentle voice so full of wisdom from  life filled with unimaginable experiences. This woman so strong but humble in spirit touched so many people and inspired women all around the world to seek why the caged bird sings.

As a beautiful dancer who ended up dropping out of school only to return and then have a son shortly after graduation Dr. Angelou didn’t let that stop her.  She eventually toured Europe in my favorite stage play Porgy and Bess. Oh how I remember singing the song Summertime from that play when I was in the drama club knowing I was going to be a star.  She danced with Alvin Ailey, recorded music and even acted after she traveled abroad teaching and studying. She was fluent in 6 different languages while many people in the United States struggle with the one they are native to.  She stood with the cause of African American oppression in the United States enduring the days of Jim Crow and walking along side the likes of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 1993 Dr. Maya Angelou had the honor of being only the second poet to read at a presidential inauguration when President Bill Clinton was sworn in to office.  This woman did not go unnoticed with her kind sprit that spoke of the strength of a well -worn woman who aged like a fine bottle of wine.

In 2014 another virtual icon who has impacted the world in ways now one could ever imagine, Oprah Winfrey mourned the loss of this woman along with the rest of the world.  Dr. Angelou was her good friend, spiritual mother, sister friend and confidant. The number of times she spoke of her could not be counted. I do recall, however a statement that Oprah once said on her show that has stuck in my spirit and caused me to make peace with my own mother. She said that Dr. Angelou told her that when her mother knew better she did better…when people know better, they do better.  I remember all of the anger I had about what I didn’t understand about my own life with family , friends, schoolmates and even relationship partners rushing out of my body.  It was then I could finally forgive everything I ever felt that hurt me and release myself from the pain just from those simple words.  Many think it is the long winded, wise statement that means the most but instead it is those words so simple and so true that speak to the spirit of mankind in a way that are instantly released from negativity IF we are willing to listen.

My great grand mother died a few years back at 105 and I remember always wanting to be like her when I grew up. She was quick witted and could tell you about yourself without every using profanity or raising her voice. She was, however one to help you get past your own mess and move forward toward a solution for any problem you had. I’ve always gravitated towards older women because they had something my own soul needed and that was wisdom. Dr. Angelou had that wisdom in everything she said.  Regardless of where her younger self took her she learned to grow into the woman of eloquence she became over the years fully accepting herself just as she was.

My prayer is that as I continue to grow into my own woman-ness I can be more like the woman of my grandmother Josephine’s generation and also like the few from Dr. Maya Angelou’s generation. To have such grace, dignity, integrity and firmness wrapped in a kind word is a gift and a craft all at the same time.  I hope mothers of today really study who and what she was as they too aspire to be better and do better for the sake of their own children and all mankind.

As for me, I am on a mission to be the phenomenal woman I know I can be understanding it comes with time much like a well run marathon. In the end I want to hear the words I know Dr. Angelou heard from God today….well done my good and faithful servant.