“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” ~ Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was a world-renowned author, an avid civil rights activist, and the first Black woman featured on a U.S. coin. However, before starting her historical career as a writer and activist, she had a successful career as an entertainer. She was a passionate professional dancer trained in multiple forms, a cabaret performer, director, producer, and even acted on Broadway. She loved all performance art and commanded the stage in any medium.
When she was eight years old, Angelou was assaulted by her mother's boyfriend. She turned him in, but he only spent one night in jail; a few days after he was released, he was found murdered, most likely by her uncles. She thought her voice, her speaking up, was what killed him, so she became mute for five years. She didn't want her voice to hurt anyone else. It wasn't until her English teacher challenged her by saying, "You do not love poetry, not until you speak it," that she finally started to speak again. That same teacher introduced Angelou to the authors who inspired her to write. She went on to have an incredibly successful career as an author, writing seven autobiographies, five books of poetry, and three books of essays. She was awarded dozens of literary awards, including the Coretta Scott King Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination in poetry. She also won two Grammys for her spoken-word albums. Most importantly, she never let anyone take away her voice again.
Angelou was also a fervent civil rights activist. She grew up facing tremendous troubles and injustices, and that adversity inspired her to fight for a better world. She worked with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and became the director of the South Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), speaking out against the violence against Black Americans. She spent her whole life giving a voice to the marginalized communities who couldn't speak up for themselves. She has received many awards and recognitions for her activism work, including more than 50 honorary degrees, an induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Council (CCAC) discussed the designs for the Maya Angelou Quarter during their meeting on April 12, 2021. Angelou's son, Guy Johnson, attended and shared his thoughts on the designs presented. He liked the design featured on the quarter because it shows her larger-than-life personality. He said that because his mother was a dancer, she always had a stage presence about her in photos. He felt that her outstretched arms and proud stance demonstrated that.
The design for this coin is meant to embody the inspiring imagery found in her work. Specifically her poem, Still I Rise, and autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The purple martin bird pictured behind her is native to Arkansas, where she grew up, but also represents the symbolism found in her autobiography. "The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still... The caged bird sings of freedom." The sun's rays are rising behind her like a crown and represent the imagery in her poem. "Just like hopes springing high, still I'll rise." Birds and the rising sun are common themes in her work, epitomizing how she lived, rising above. Angelou is pictured at the center of this coin, arms stretched wide, standing confident and proud, representing her endless optimism and strength.