Maya Angelou

According to the wiki, Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson in 1928) is an American poet, memoirist, actress and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. She has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer". Angelou is known for her series of six autobiographies, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, (1969) which was nominated for a National Book Award. Her volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie (1971) was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Angelou recited her poem, "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993. She has been highly honored for her body of work, including being awarded over 30 honorary degrees. Here are a few things that she has said:

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.

Nothing will work unless you do.

Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.