WOMEN'S DAY - When a woman inspires

 "You  may shoot me with your words 

You may cut me with your eyes

You may kill me with your hatefulness ,

But still like air 

I will rise "

                                (Still I rise)

         A woman inoculating confidence and  self esteem with her words of wisdom is a true inspiration . 'Maya Angelou ' , is  one among them who stimulated my thoughts as a teenager  . My curiosity to know her more sprouted with the peculiar title of her book "I know why the caged bird sings " .  Because it grabbed my attention to caged people for the first time .She was also fettered with racism and in trauma .That is why her journey from  Marguerite Annie Johnson to Maya Angelou turned influential .

                Maya Angelou was born on April 4 1928 in St Louis ,Missouri . As an African-American young girl ,the racial prejudices and discrimination seized her childhood . But what made her in  physical , psychological and sociological trauma was a rape in the age of seven and a half .How could a  girl manage if the rapist was her mother's boyfriend ? And when the rapist was dead ,her logic accused herself . This made her cocooned in her own world .She had voice but refused even to talk .But in those mute years she read every book in the black school library .Langston Hughes , Shakespeare ,Charles Dickens etc motivated her to assure 'I will rise '.And atlast when she decided to speak ,she had a lot to say and many ways to say what she has to . 

                This intellectual transformation is one of the most inspiring part of her life. She developed progressive political views and thus enlightened  the people  to turn struggles to triumph .Her life forced her to be a sex worker ,night club dancer , fry cook etc. She became the 1st female Afro -American to be a steercar conductor in San Francisco .Thus traveling through challenges she emerged as a world renowned poet , film maker and a phenomenal inspiration .

               In her life the early phase  1928 to  1951 was a period of finding her inner strength . The then versatility of her life will make us amazed .As an actress , author ,poet ,singer ,director she thrived in all artistic mediums . From 1951 to 1969 was actually destined to make the world her stage .Her 'Georgia Georgia 'became the first screenplay written by an African American woman to be produced as a movie . With her breathtaking poetry she touched and inspired millions .

                   She was a prolific poet who explored numerous themes in her poems including that of women, love, loss, music, struggle, discrimination and racism. That is why she has been referred as 'People's poet and The black woman's poet laureate ' .Her poems including Still I rise , Alone, Phenomenal women etc were popularly termed as 'anthems of African Americans .                          Phenomenal women is one of my personal favourites because she inspires us to' go beyond the body and be about the being , to think about the size of the heart ,not the size of the waist ,the caring in your soul not the money you make '.She urges us to' embrace yourself and your own beauty' no matter you are not of fashion model's size and appearance . "The pulse of the morning " ,famously recited in the inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1993 was also a prestigious moment for the blacks .Because it was the second ever poet to be so honoured after Robert frost . Through that poem she admires unity despite the diversity in American culture .On behalf of the marginalised her works hail the indomitable spirit of black people and created an optimism in their liberation . The way she used her talents for the welfare of the community is also commendable .

                    The honour of President medal of freedom from Obama , Grammy award and a lot of honours proved her talents. During her 60's she invested in civil rights movement also with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X .Maya Angelou ,James Baldwin etc weren't afraid to speak of the inequalities of the black .Her seven volumes of autobiographies reflected the same . That is why she became one of the most banned writers in US .Upto her 80's she inspired people through out the world with her lectures .

           " The wise women wishes to be no one's enemy ;

              A wise women refuses to be anybody's victim " .

These words of Maya Angelou is truly influential for me as a young girl .With her life  she always motivates us to believe in our talents .That is why she remembers us that 'If you are always trying to be normal ,you will never know how amazing you can be ' . She teaches us the basic qualities to bring out the best is courage and self love .Maya Angelou ia a person who had this enough. That is why even after a lot of challenges she confidently performed and conquered the stages . The societal approach of comparing confidence to appearance was disrupted by Maya .Her sense of humour and laugh is another influencing factor .Because even at the last days of her death in 28 may 2014 she remained happy as a eloquent of courage and energy .I believe that this mindfulness will be the outcome of her attempts to be a blessing for some body . 

'Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud' .These words of Maya Angelou must be quoted in all the minds so that it help us to be humane .Through her lectures she urges the audience to conquer the art of saying 'No' to remain complaint free . Thus the life lessons that I draw from her life is innumerable . As a feminist icon also she became a voice for millions of deprived women .So I thoroughly believe that the women's day must draw our memories to her life too .

                   Maya Angelou who rose from poverty , segregation and harshest of childhood later conquered the stage ,screen and printed page . Thus the tall and regal woman with a deep majestic voice inspired many . Because she was the first  black woman to enjoy the mainstream success .

"History ,despite its wrenching pain cannot be unlived 

But if faced with courage ,need not be lived again " 

              (On the pulse of the morning)

Drawing inspiration from these words of Maya Angelou , I could foresee the emergence of women as future leaders of our Nation .