Such an awesome person. Kind and gentle. Loved listening to her powerful words which will be greatly missed. Inspiration for us all.
Miriam Allred Todd
I never met this wonderful lady, but I read some of her poems and fell in love with her when I was a student at Wake Forest in the 50’s. I shall always remember “Why the Caged Bird Sings” and have fondly followed her life, especially since she came to Wake Forest in ’82.
Wake Forest has truly lost a very special person!
Algeria Vaughn-Bailey
I Know “Why The Caged Bird Sings”, as well as the students I taught.This book was used as a text book for my elementary, high school, university, and detention center classes, It helped me teach the students and myself how to learn patience, respect, humility, and gave a sense of responsibility for a life time. After our meeting in 2009 and again in 2011 I am humbled to you. THANK YOU.
Lisa Faircloth Kelly
I had the pleasure of being in Dr. Angelou’s class at Wake Forest. What I remember most about her is her kindness. She hosted us in her home not once, but twice. She never forgot a student either. If she saw you again, she would recognize you and she always had time for you. Dr. Angelou made a lasting impression on me in so many ways. How fortunate we Deacons were to have had her on our campus for so many years.
S.D. Brown
What a remarkable woman. My prayers to your family & friends during this time. Your works will live on & we are the richer.
Hon. Michael G. Takac ’84
THANK YOU Dr. Angelou! For teaching me over my stubborn resistance what a valuable motivation that fear can be; for showing me the living example of exhibiting great class and dignity no matter the hardship(s) that may be thrust in one’s way; & reminding me how valuable my mother’s advice can be, it was her recommendation that led me to your class. I am forever richer, and grateful, for having known you both. Mom, you & Wake Forest, “Mother so dear” indeed!
Molly Rich
Reading I KNOW WHY A CAGED BIRD SINGS helped me to mature in unexpected ways, to open up places and in my soul and heart unknown to me before – thank you Dr. Angelou! Like others I wish I had heard you speak in person but am grateful to have heard you speak on TV. Your voice and words creates amazing visuals, inspirations, and joy – thank you for sharing your insights with us.
Charles Victor Ganelin
I coincided with Maya Angelou quite early in her tenure at Wake Forest during my time as an instructor. I have a vivid memory of a small faculty picnic one fall where we were sitting on the grass, just the two of us, talking about travels, she intently asking me for details about mine as we shared places we had both visited and countries we hoped to see. I knew then that I was fortunate to have had that conversation, one that has remained with me over the decades. I envy those who had the opportunity to study with her, though we all learned from her no matter how brief our contact.
Louis Davis, Jr.
To you, Dr. Angelou…
I had the honor of meeting you twice, first in 2008 and then again in 2012. While time only allowed for the exchange of a few words, you would never know until now just what an emotional and spiritual-filled few minutes those were for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for traveling this way with us for 86 years.
Gayadele
I have never had the opportunity too meet Maya Angelou, but a special friend had sent me an inspiring quote and a photo of Maya… and somehow I also feel I have been touched by an angel. Love the power of one woman who dares!
Karen Whitley
Awesome Trailblazer….. Some of us were graced with your presence, some were graced with your words of wisdom and others graced to be able to sit in a room and be taught by you! Whatever way we all were changed and lives were touched! Thank you Dr. Maya Angelou for living your purpose daily! May we all strive to do so from your example! RIP and know we love you! Personally your words of wisdom on Madea’s Family Reunion were deep! I hold them dear!
Lauren Crandall
It is because of Dr. Maya Angelou’s teachings on courage that I feel inspired to write a thank you to her here. Dr. Angelou spoke at the Final Four banquet for field hockey when Wake Forest hosted the event. In a room full of female college athletes she commanded attention with her soft, powerful voice. She asked each of us to be our greatest selves and not be afraid to shine – have the courage to be yourself, always and always better yourself. She was beautiful. To hear her speak was beautiful – an ease of performance that her literature tells us took her years to learn. May she rest in peace and may her words continue to teach, encourage, and inspire.
Pat Foote, WFC ’53
Wake Forest may have lost the vital presence of Dr. Angelou, but it will never lose the magnificent, eternal gift of her teaching and writings which will live on in the thousands of students she touched, and taught. I wish I had been one of those fortunate Deacons.
Jolly Janson
I will remember Dr. Angelou who helped change the way I view the world and humanity. My father sent each of my sisters and me a copy of her book, “Letter To My Daughter”. She has left a legacy that will not be forgotten. What a loss to the WFU community and the world.
Anonymous
She was indeed a dynamic poet, educator and speaker. A number of generations have been influenced by her words. Our thoughts and sympathy goes out to family, friends and fellow staff at Wake Forest University. May the God of comfort be with you all!
T. Bealer
Thank you Dr. Angelou for your literary work and poems. I remember being in college and a staff member had an extra ticket for your appearance. How excited and thrilled I was to be able to see such greatness. We will miss you.
Aleia R. Naylor
Dr. Angelou, I remember you as a professor, mentor and loving woman of God. Beyond literature, you gave us instruction on laughing and loving, and on failing and succeeding in this journey called life.
As we settled into our first lecture of the semester you shared this proverb, ‘Homo sum, humani nil a me alienum puto. I am a human being, nothing human can be alien to me.’ You taught us that as human beings we carry the innate ability to respect and empathize with one another. We are all better people because of your profound compassion.
You are the epitome of love. Your presence at Wake Forest was a blessing and a gift.
I miss you dearly.
Helen Losse
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Angelou at Special Occasions Book Store, where she granted me a moment of her time and permission to quote her for a paper for a class, I was taking at Wake Forest: The Struggle for Freedom In the US and South Africa, taught by Alton Pollard III and Anthony S. Parent, Jr.
“What is the cost of freedom? In response to a similar question, Maya Angelou replied: The cost of freedom is ‘everything, all the time.’ ”
“South Africa Speaks To America’s Racism.” Videotape, moderator Alton Pollard, with Maya Angelou, Jim Wallis, and Beyers Naudé by Winston-Salem South African Initiative Committee and Ilusten Communications, Raleigh, NC, May 10,1996. In a brief conversation concerning this statement, Maya Angelou reminded me that “whatever we learn concerning South Africa” can be applied to the struggle for freedom worldwide. Personal interview. Special Occasions. November 30, 1996.
Opening paragraph and first footnote from my paper “EVERYTHING, ALL THE TIME: The Personal Cost in the Struggle for Freedom In the Lives of Coretta Scott King and Winnie Mandela” (Wake Forest University, 1996)
Professor Metze
Her poetry will live forever.
Janice Jennings
My thoughts are with the global family of Dr. Angelou. We feel a great loss because she was a grand lady. My only personal interaction with her was at Fresh Market. I was often in a rush, dragging small children with me. She was usually in the produce section, squeezing or smelling something. She would smile at us. Her energy told me to slow down, enjoy the moment, choose wisely. Godspeed Dr. Angelou.
Such an awesome person. Kind and gentle. Loved listening to her powerful words which will be greatly missed. Inspiration for us all.
I never met this wonderful lady, but I read some of her poems and fell in love with her when I was a student at Wake Forest in the 50’s. I shall always remember “Why the Caged Bird Sings” and have fondly followed her life, especially since she came to Wake Forest in ’82.
Wake Forest has truly lost a very special person!
I Know “Why The Caged Bird Sings”, as well as the students I taught.This book was used as a text book for my elementary, high school, university, and detention center classes, It helped me teach the students and myself how to learn patience, respect, humility, and gave a sense of responsibility for a life time. After our meeting in 2009 and again in 2011 I am humbled to you. THANK YOU.
I had the pleasure of being in Dr. Angelou’s class at Wake Forest. What I remember most about her is her kindness. She hosted us in her home not once, but twice. She never forgot a student either. If she saw you again, she would recognize you and she always had time for you. Dr. Angelou made a lasting impression on me in so many ways. How fortunate we Deacons were to have had her on our campus for so many years.
What a remarkable woman. My prayers to your family & friends during this time. Your works will live on & we are the richer.
THANK YOU Dr. Angelou! For teaching me over my stubborn resistance what a valuable motivation that fear can be; for showing me the living example of exhibiting great class and dignity no matter the hardship(s) that may be thrust in one’s way; & reminding me how valuable my mother’s advice can be, it was her recommendation that led me to your class. I am forever richer, and grateful, for having known you both. Mom, you & Wake Forest, “Mother so dear” indeed!
Reading I KNOW WHY A CAGED BIRD SINGS helped me to mature in unexpected ways, to open up places and in my soul and heart unknown to me before – thank you Dr. Angelou! Like others I wish I had heard you speak in person but am grateful to have heard you speak on TV. Your voice and words creates amazing visuals, inspirations, and joy – thank you for sharing your insights with us.
I coincided with Maya Angelou quite early in her tenure at Wake Forest during my time as an instructor. I have a vivid memory of a small faculty picnic one fall where we were sitting on the grass, just the two of us, talking about travels, she intently asking me for details about mine as we shared places we had both visited and countries we hoped to see. I knew then that I was fortunate to have had that conversation, one that has remained with me over the decades. I envy those who had the opportunity to study with her, though we all learned from her no matter how brief our contact.
To you, Dr. Angelou…
I had the honor of meeting you twice, first in 2008 and then again in 2012. While time only allowed for the exchange of a few words, you would never know until now just what an emotional and spiritual-filled few minutes those were for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for traveling this way with us for 86 years.
I have never had the opportunity too meet Maya Angelou, but a special friend had sent me an inspiring quote and a photo of Maya… and somehow I also feel I have been touched by an angel. Love the power of one woman who dares!
Awesome Trailblazer….. Some of us were graced with your presence, some were graced with your words of wisdom and others graced to be able to sit in a room and be taught by you! Whatever way we all were changed and lives were touched! Thank you Dr. Maya Angelou for living your purpose daily! May we all strive to do so from your example! RIP and know we love you! Personally your words of wisdom on Madea’s Family Reunion were deep! I hold them dear!
It is because of Dr. Maya Angelou’s teachings on courage that I feel inspired to write a thank you to her here. Dr. Angelou spoke at the Final Four banquet for field hockey when Wake Forest hosted the event. In a room full of female college athletes she commanded attention with her soft, powerful voice. She asked each of us to be our greatest selves and not be afraid to shine – have the courage to be yourself, always and always better yourself. She was beautiful. To hear her speak was beautiful – an ease of performance that her literature tells us took her years to learn. May she rest in peace and may her words continue to teach, encourage, and inspire.
Wake Forest may have lost the vital presence of Dr. Angelou, but it will never lose the magnificent, eternal gift of her teaching and writings which will live on in the thousands of students she touched, and taught. I wish I had been one of those fortunate Deacons.
I will remember Dr. Angelou who helped change the way I view the world and humanity. My father sent each of my sisters and me a copy of her book, “Letter To My Daughter”. She has left a legacy that will not be forgotten. What a loss to the WFU community and the world.
She was indeed a dynamic poet, educator and speaker. A number of generations have been influenced by her words. Our thoughts and sympathy goes out to family, friends and fellow staff at Wake Forest University. May the God of comfort be with you all!
Thank you Dr. Angelou for your literary work and poems. I remember being in college and a staff member had an extra ticket for your appearance. How excited and thrilled I was to be able to see such greatness. We will miss you.
Dr. Angelou, I remember you as a professor, mentor and loving woman of God. Beyond literature, you gave us instruction on laughing and loving, and on failing and succeeding in this journey called life.
As we settled into our first lecture of the semester you shared this proverb, ‘Homo sum, humani nil a me alienum puto. I am a human being, nothing human can be alien to me.’ You taught us that as human beings we carry the innate ability to respect and empathize with one another. We are all better people because of your profound compassion.
You are the epitome of love. Your presence at Wake Forest was a blessing and a gift.
I miss you dearly.
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Angelou at Special Occasions Book Store, where she granted me a moment of her time and permission to quote her for a paper for a class, I was taking at Wake Forest: The Struggle for Freedom In the US and South Africa, taught by Alton Pollard III and Anthony S. Parent, Jr.
“What is the cost of freedom? In response to a similar question, Maya Angelou replied: The cost of freedom is ‘everything, all the time.’ ”
“South Africa Speaks To America’s Racism.” Videotape, moderator Alton Pollard, with Maya Angelou, Jim Wallis, and Beyers Naudé by Winston-Salem South African Initiative Committee and Ilusten Communications, Raleigh, NC, May 10,1996. In a brief conversation concerning this statement, Maya Angelou reminded me that “whatever we learn concerning South Africa” can be applied to the struggle for freedom worldwide. Personal interview. Special Occasions. November 30, 1996.
Opening paragraph and first footnote from my paper “EVERYTHING, ALL THE TIME: The Personal Cost in the Struggle for Freedom In the Lives of Coretta Scott King and Winnie Mandela” (Wake Forest University, 1996)
Her poetry will live forever.
My thoughts are with the global family of Dr. Angelou. We feel a great loss because she was a grand lady. My only personal interaction with her was at Fresh Market. I was often in a rush, dragging small children with me. She was usually in the produce section, squeezing or smelling something. She would smile at us. Her energy told me to slow down, enjoy the moment, choose wisely. Godspeed Dr. Angelou.