DR MAYA ANGELOU

There is something about Maya Angelou’s presence that has always intrigued me. I would listen to her interviews and read her poems and dream of having a conversation with her There is just so much depth to everything she says I feel like she holds wisdom that is unearthly. Maya spent six years mute after traumatic childhood events which led her to passionately read, write and express herself through words unspoken. I often wonder how much more we would understand if we spoke less and witnessed more. What would we learn about ourselves if we were quiet with our thoughts and paid more attention to the world around us? I wish for Maya that her mutism wasn’t from these horrific events she had to endure but I do thank her for gifting the world with her wisdom as a result

Maya was the first African American woman to be a streetcar conductor after pursuing the company and being undefeated by their racism and sexism She was also the first to have a screen play turned into a film and has also won copious awards and medals for her contribution through her artistic expression within music, film and writing

What has always been so awe-inspiring to me was her poise when confronted with difficult questions and the way she would use words to say bold things wrapped in a way that could be heard. There was a gentleness that met audacity and I am so grateful for her example. Maya is a woman who lived a legacy.

If you have spent any time with me you know my intention is to always be “Oprah ready” within my day. I live as though Oprah will call or show up at my door any minute. Like asking Santa for dancing lessons from Micheal Jackson during my childhood, I continually ask Universe for a moment shared within my lifetime with Oprah.

Oprah is an icon of our generation. Most of us learned about relationships, personal growth and conversation by tuning into Oprah every day after school. I have some of my most pivotal heart opening moments from watching the Oprah show Hearing from people who were overcoming and how they were leading their lives ignited my soul. I loved how Oprah asked questions to create conversation and stood in her power with boundaries as she opened it up to the audience. I often pray that I can somehow emulate this within my podcast, magazine and online presence.

I use to be so agitated by the constant press talking about her weight or hair style as though that is what mattered. It showed me early on how the world believes a woman’s appearance or looks is theirs to comment on and somehow we are here to make “you” comfortable. I was a privileged white girl in a small town who could only imagine what it would be like for an African American woman showing up in her power to the world She stood on TV and courageously let us learn through her example in real time. She would talk about hard things and gracefully share perspective that would educate us to our ignorance or lack of understanding.

We watched Oprah continually overcome the naysayers and ignorance of others to step into one of the most influential, powerful and wealthiest woman in history. She is our real time evidence of what is possible when a woman believes in herself and advocates to make it happen. Thank you Oprah.