Remembering the Heart of a Phenomenal Black Woman During 2026 Women's History Month!

Since I'm immersing myself in women related topics during March, I thought it was high time to remember the heart of phenomenal Black woman Maya Angelou during this 2026 Women's History Month.

I previously published a really good story that takes a plunge into this extraordinary black female poet's life.

Before I share details from the original story content, as it pertains to her life and "Phenomenal Woman" poem, allow me to add an additional tidbit of information that I somehow managed to miss.

Maya Angelou was a Calypso Dancer and Phenomenal in Every Sense of the Word!

I discovered that on top of all her other achievements, she was also a professional calypso dancer and singer; touring and performing in clubs all over the world.

Her dancing was a blend of modern, African dance, with a Caribbean-inspired flavor to it. She was actually known as "Miss Calypso".

One of the popular shows that she toured internationally in was Porgy and Bess.

Naturally she studied with only the best, like legends Pearl Primus and Martha Graham, and she was known to dance as part of a duo with the famous Alvin Alley.

It's insane to think of all these wonderful accolades to Maya Angelou's credit as the least of her accomplishments.

However, due to the many other overwhelming achievements we know and love her for, her dancing manages to take a back seat.

With that said, join me as I convey the material I initially provided in my first deep dive into this phenomenal women's life.

The Maya Angelou the World Has Come to Know

Maya Angelou is one of the first names to come to mind, when I think of a phenomenal black woman. Her autobiography titled: "The Heart of a Woman" is an inspirational birds-eye-view into her life and relationships, primarily between her and her son.

Throughout the book, it is abundantly clear that during her many life travels; which includes the time she spent in Africa; motherhood was a central and important theme to her.

The weightiness of her role as a mother and black woman is evident throughout The Heart of a Woman, as well as all the rest of Angelou's autobiographies.

African American Women Poets

When it comes to writing about social injustice, Maya Angelou is among the many African American women who have written memorable words to live by.

Ms. Angelou is most certainly in good company, with the likes of another phenomenal African American woman and fellow poet, Georgia Douglas Johnson.

In fact, in case someone wants to know who she was, and what was the first poem written by Georgia Douglas Johnson, the answer would be The Heart of a Woman.

The Heart of a Woman

By Georgia Douglas Johnson - Poetry Foundation

The heart of a woman goes forth with the dawn,

As a lone bird, soft winging, so restlessly on,

Afar o'er life's turrets and vales does it roam

In the wake of those echoes the heart calls home.

The heart of a woman falls back with the night,

And enters some alien cage in its plight,

And tries to forget it has dreamed of the stars

While it breaks, breaks, breaks on the sheltering bars.

How fitting, that this poem is what helped provide inspiration for Maya Angelou's "The Heart of a Woman" autobiography.

Just like in Maya Angelou's own writings, Georgia Douglas Johnson did a splendid job in her poem, to show the strength and fortitude of a woman, particularly black women.

Johnson is mentioned as a noteworthy figure, in connection to the Harlem Renaissance.

There is abundant wisdom to be gained from Maya Angelou's poems and plays. Interestingly enough, while her words can easily be applied to the many injustices that black men and women face every day, they can also be applied to everyday situations in life that have nothing to do with race, but rather, with human nature.

What Quotes are Maya Angelou famous for?

There are two in particular that come to mind, and they are two my favorites.

"When people show you who they are, believe them."

"What you DO speaks so LOUD that I cannot hear what you say."

What is the most famous poem Maya Angelou is famous for?

"Still I Rise" is the most famous poem that Maya Angelou is famous for; at least that is what most people would agree, even Ms. Angelou herself.

Yep! She's been known to tell interviewers that she apparently gets the same enjoy as the rest of us get from the poem.

Phenomenal Black Women

While I would be the first to agree that Still I Rise is an excellent expression of determination and self awareness, I have to admit, I actually put Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman at the top of my list.

How can you not be a woman; any woman, and not absolutely love this poem? Black, white, red, yellow, purple with pink polka dots; if you identify with womanhood, then you should embrace how phenomenal you are, just as Maya Angelou did, in her poem and in her life. One of my favorite lines from the Phenomenal woman poem is:

"They try so much, but they can't touch my inner mystery."

Even with Maya Angelou's many travels to places like Ghana, Egypt and Sweden; she's been quoted as having said one of her most important journey's was what she described as "…a voyage into the self."

Phenomenal women seek self discovery and self awareness. They pursue peace and fight in whatever way they can, for social justice and social change. Maya Angelou, the famous poet, playwright, and phenomenal black woman provides an excellent model for women all over the world, and for those who claim to love us.

REFLECTIONS:

How much do you know about this talented African American poet and phenomenal black woman?

• Maya Angelou was the first African American streetcar conductor in San Francisco
• Maya Angelou taught drama and music in Ghana, Africa.
• Maya Angelou did work editing a newspaper in Egypt.
• Maya Angelou studied cinematography in Sweden.
• Maya Angelou read her poem: On the Pulse of Morning at Bill Clinton's inauguration.

Final Thoughts

Clearly, there isn't enough we can say about this remarkable women, even if we spent the remainder of Women's History Month.

She has been and continues to be a great source of inspiration to girls and women everywhere, not to mention a source of motivation as well.

As I consider the many ways that I can work on and better myself, I hold up the name of Maya Angelou as a model, so I always remember the kind of phenomenal woman I'm striving to become.

Thanks for reading.