Dr. Maya Angelou’s Greatest Words of Wisdom

The celebrated poet's legacy lives on.

A Legendary Voice - On May 28, revered poet and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou passed away after a long-fought illness at the age of 86. In her lifetime, she overcame poverty to break barriers in American literature, earning countless accolades and the admiration of followers from around the world. Her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is among the most celebrated works of our time, and she continues to inspire generations of women with her message of self-love, courage and perseverance. Here’s a look back at Dr. Angelou’s most stirring words of wisdom every woman should hear. By Britt Middleton(Photo: Chester Higgins Jr/chesterhiggins.com)

1 / 11

A Legendary Voice - On May 28, revered poet and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou passed away after a long-fought illness at the age of 86. In her lifetime, she overcame poverty to break barriers in American literature, earning countless accolades and the admiration of followers from around the world. Her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is among the most celebrated works of our time, and she continues to inspire generations of women with her message of self-love, courage and perseverance. Here’s a look back at Dr. Angelou’s most stirring words of wisdom every woman should hear. By Britt Middleton(Photo: Chester Higgins Jr/chesterhiggins.com)

Maya Angelou's Life in Music - Today we mourn the loss of one of the greatest poets of all time and to celebrate her memory, BET takes a look at Dr. Maya Angelou's life in music, as she was an inspiration, collaborator and grandmother-like figure to many performers and artists. Read on for a few of her contributions in the world of music. — Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA) (Photo: AP Photo/File)

2 / 11

Do What You Love

Maya Angelou - The poet/author worked with both Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She helped Malcolm X build the Organization of African American Unity, which ended after his assassination, and then served as the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at Dr. King's request. (Photo: Jack Sotomayor/New York Times Co./Getty Images)

3 / 11

Make an Impact

You're Born With Potential - "One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest." (Photo: The Plain Dealer /Landov)

4 / 11

You're Born With Potential

Change Your Attitude - “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” (Photo: Bettmann/CORBIS)

5 / 11

Change Your Attitude

ADVERTISEMENT
Don't Settle for Normal - “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” (Photo: Marc Brasz/CORBIS)

6 / 11

Don't Settle for Normal

Giving Is Good - “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” (Photo: Craig Herndon / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

7 / 11

Giving Is Good

Love Conquers All - “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

8 / 11

Love Conquers All

You Got This - “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” (Photo: Dudley M. Brooks / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

9 / 11

You Got This

Rise Above - "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." (Photo: Christopher Felver/CORBIS) 

10 / 11

Rise Above

Phenomenal Woman - “It’s the fire in my eyes,  And the flash of my teeth,   The swing in my waist,   And the joy in my feet.   I’m a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That’s me.” — Excerpt from Angelou's poem “Phenomenal Woman” (Photo: Martin Godwin/Getty Images)

11 / 11

Phenomenal Woman