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SPOTLIGHTMAYAANGELOU'STOP10 LEADERSHIPQUALITIES

As a young woman, I was deeply inspired by Maya Angelou Maya was a poet, dancer, singer, activist, and world-famous author But to me, Maya felt like “home ” Growing up I had a loveaffair with books My Mother passed this passion down to me as she read to me most nights of my early childhood My security blanket was a book, any book I connected with Maya Angelou through her books and through her poetry.

In the late 70’s, the poem, “Still I Rise,” was published by Maya Angelou. Her words deeply touched me as she wrote about the unshakeable spirit of black people. This unshakeable spirit inspired them to rise above racism and adversity. I sat in awe as Maya’s powerful words of “survival” and “hope” seared into my heart. I was a poor white child who lived on the other side of the tracks with African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American Indians. In my mind, I identified with those words.

Maya’s message of liberation and survival took root in my soul As I became a young career woman in the military healthcare field I carried her message with me with a passion and a fervor I tried to be a person of character and if witnessing a wrong I would speak up and advocate for justice I could not tolerate a “bully-mentality” by anyone You see, Maya Angelou taught me the importance of loving myself fully and loving others even in the face of hardship

Maya Angelou is well known for her seven autobiographies, focusing on her childhood and young adult experiences. She is also well known for her poetry and as a powerful spokeswoman. I would like to recap a speech that Maya delivered to one of the many university graduations. It is called her Top 10 Rules for Success.

Just Do Right. “Right may not be expedient and it may not be profitable, but it will

Satisfy

your soul.” I remember Sunday School lessons in the 1970’s where my teacher would share that God was always watching us. She would say that even when no one else was around, He knew what was in our hearts and mind. Doing the right thing is what is expected of a good citizen “Try to live your life in a way so that you will not regret years of inertia and timidity ” “Pick up the battle and make it a better world, just where you are ”

BY GINA BAKER ALDERMAN

Be Courageous “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently You can’t be consistently kind, or fair, or humane, or generous, not without courage ”

Love. “Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” “I believe self-love is very important. If you read my work, you know I’m always talking about loving one ’ s self. I never trust anybody if he or she doesn’t love herself or himself.”

Laugh. “If you don’t laugh, you will die. You really must laugh. The sense of humor is a selfdefense, and against the cruelties of life one must laugh.” “Just as hope rings through laughter it can also shine through tears.”

Be a Blessing to Somebody. “I have had a lot of clouds, but I have had so many rainbows in those clouds ” In her speeches, Maya often talks about carrying the love and blessings of all her friends and family with her every time she goes onto a stage to speak She carries them inside her heart Having the images of all those who have ever loved her provides her with the encouragement she needs to connect with her audience “The thing to do it seems is to prepare yourself as a blessing so you can be the rainbow in somebody else’s cloud.”

Turn Struggles into Triumphs. Maya often spoke of the worse trauma of her life occurring at the age of seven and a half years old. The trauma was so severe that she didn’t speak for five years. Maya turned into herself during that time and began to read every book in the black school library and in the white school library. She memorized the whole plays of Shakespeare and everything of Edger Allen Poe. She had access to all the great poets and philosophers, and she memorized them all. When she decided to speak, she had a lot to say and many ways in which to say her words. Maya credits that “out of the evil she was saved through her muteness ” She was able to draw from human thought, disappointments, and triumphs When Maya began speaking at the age of 12 ½ years old she had a lot to say

You are Talented. “I believe that every person is born with talent ” “If you are stupid, you will ill-use your talents If you are wise, you will use your talents for the furtherance of your mind.”

Learn to say No. “There’s a place in you that you must keep pristine and clean. So that nobody has the right to curse you or treat you badly. Say no, when it’s no, because that place must remain clean and untouched.” Saying no, gives you an implicit power and protects your energy

Always do Your Best. Maya said, “I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back 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 ”

Keep Rising. “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, you may tread me in the very dirt but still, like dust, I’ll rise ” “Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear, I rise. Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave me, I rise.”

Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise,” boldly spoke about the grace, dignity, and resilience of black people. She often spoke encouraging all marginalized people to keep rising despite oppression.

“Maya Angelou published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.” (Stanley, 1992).

Maya Angelou was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s She served as the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1959 The sixth installment of her autobiographical series, A Song Flung up to Heaven (2002), provides a personal account of Maya’s role as an influential leader of the Civil Rights Movement between 1965 and 1968 (Carmichael, 2021)

Citations:

Carmichael, Evan (September 16, 2021). “Maya Angelou’s Top 10 Rules for Success: Unlocking the Power of Courage and Integrity ” Retrieved from www evancarmichael com

Stanley, Alessandra (May 17, 1992) “Whose Honor Is It, Anyway ” The New York Times

Gina Alderman has spent 40 years as a military medical service member and veteran advocate. As the creator of Rugged Warrior Healing Coalition and The Veterans Unchained Project, Gina is passionate about uplifting others and easing suffering. You can connect with Gina through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaalderman-4a5b619b