Nation, Locals Mourn Death of Maya Angelou

(WCBI) — As the nation mourns the death of Maya Angelou, many of us are paying tribute to the celebrated author by remembering her speeches and bodies of literary works.

“The hells we have lived through, and live through, still, have sharpened our senses and toughened our will,” Angelou said.

With a commanding voice, Angelou helped to sharpen our senses by the power of her words, and the conviction of her heart. Her influence of putting her life experiences into words are internationally acclaimed, nationally treasured and, for some literary professors, locally inspiring.

“And she also is very sensitive about the fact that although she became very highly educated and very highly respected, as a scholar as well as a writer, she never forgot what she called ‘the old wisdom,” Mississippi University for Women English Professor Bridget Pieschel said. “That you could learn from people that didn’t necessarily have degrees in literature, or degrees in psychology, but they had had the experience of life.

“This woman knew pain,” Rich Raymond with the MSU English Department said. “Extremely resilient. She always bounced back. Her writing. Both her poetry and her memoir writing tells the story of discovering joy in the suffering. Truly an amazing woman.”

The renowned author was also a civil rights activist, actress, dancer, playwright and director. And those that cherished her legacy will make sure it lives on.

“People need to know who she was because she is one of the premiere voices of her generation,” Pieschel said. “Her works stands by itself as far as excellence.”

Her work as an activist will forever transcend.

“She was always talking about how to make positive change,” Pieschel said. “She wasn’t an angry voice, and we won’t see anyone like her for a long time.”

“I am the hope and the dream of the slave, and so naturally … there I go rising,” Angelou said.

Angelou was 86 years old.