ANGELOU REMAINS AN INSPIRATION By Lissette Hall, Published in The Pantagraph, 11/21/1996

I woke up to the news of Maya Angelou's passing this morning. I remember seeing her, larger than life, when I was barely a teenager and not much bigger than 5 feet tall.

With the outpouring of love and appreciation for Dr. Angelou that flooded across my computer screen, I was reminded that I had the opportunity to meet her at 13. I didn't take it. I sat in her audience and listened intently. I wavered before I departed because I knew that I was attending her event as real Journalist with a capital "J."

 I was shy and hadn't discovered improv yet. So I attended her speech at Illinois Wesleyan University, wrote my article, and didn't overcome this type of social anxiety until a few years ago.  Thanks, improv.

 I wrote for a teen column in the Bloomington, IL newspaper The Pantagraph. The newspaper reprinted their staff's article about the 1996 Angelou speech at IWU this morning. I was there too. I may have been a teenager, but I was also a hired Journalist to report about the event.  I may not have had the courage to shake Dr. Angelou's hand and thank her, but I had the courage to write these words.

 I do not have permission from The Pantagraph to reprint this, but I wrote this piece and would like to share it on this day that Dr. Maya Angelou is no longer with us. ~L

 "ANGELOU REMAINS AN INSPIRATION
 Published: November 21, 1996
 Section: FOCUS
Page: D1
Source: LISSETTE HALL NORMAL COMMUNITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

 Maya Angelou, author, poet and playwright, reaffirmed her inspiration for many at last week's Illinois Wesleyan University event.

 Angelou is the author of 10 best-selling books, is the newly appointed American ambassador for UNICEF and is an Emmy Award nominee for her performance in Alex Haley's "Roots." Yet, she still manages to be an example for all and a role model for young people.

 She spoke at Shirk Center which was packed with more than 3,000 people. It didn't matter whether you were sitting in the front row or standing in the back, Angelou was speaking to each of us individually.

 After the traditional introductions, the 6-foot-tall woman took the stage and began by singing an uplifting spiritual in her familiar rich voice. Then she spoke about the things that happened to her throughout her life, reciting pieces of poetry throughout to create a dynamic atmosphere. The manner in which she spoke was as if it were just the two of us sitting in a room together. I bet most of the people that were there wished, as I did, that they could do just that.

Personally, I have admired and respected Ms. Angelou as an author since reading the book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." After hearing her speak and comparing it to the way she writes, I find the two similar.

 She speaks with the same feeling and momentum that flows from the pages of her books.

But her speech was even more personal. Listening to her voice gave me a greater understanding of what she was talking about. This great author delivered more than one message that night. The first being that there is always a "rainbow in the clouds," always a silver lining. She also disclosed that everyone always has the courage to overcome anything and they will do so at the time they are ready to deal with it.

She used her own life as an example telling of the time she was raped as a child and how she stopped speaking for six years after. But she did speak again and the recitation of "And Still I Rise" reinforced that fact.

This event helped me further understand who Maya Angelou really is. She told us about herself and what the things she writes about mean. Anyone who attended the speech will perceive her books in a different way than someone who has only read her work.

 To me, her work is very important because it has significant meaning. It doesn't just pertain to me, but to everyone. Her writing sends a message to everyone that all people need to rise together and overcome the intolerance and ignorance the world can have and for people to try and become the best they can be.

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