Abbie Woolcock

Gibson

ENG4U

July 31, 2017

Lets Stand Together in Feminism!

Feminism- the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

(Feminism, Miriam-Webster) Women have been fighting for their rights from the beginning of

time, that can be demonstrated in many political movements. From the women in Canada being

considered as people, to the prohibition, to pay equality etc. All around the world women have to

fight to not be considered as sexual beings or less than a man. In the novel, I Know Why the

Caged Birds Sing, Maya Angelou along with the fellow female characters demonstrate womens

advocacy, and the struggles she faced while being a woman of colour in the 1940s. As a woman

of colour feminist, she had to endure racism, as a resultshe had to work harder than others.

With Mayas determination, and strong work ethics she was able to inspire many young

feminists around the world. In Maya Angelous best-written novel I Know Why the Caged

Birds Sing, it is illustrated that women, especially women of colour had to work harder than

others, were subjected to racism, but they were able to overcome these biased perceptions. These

strong women did not conform to the standard stereotypical gender roles that were assigned to

them, instead, they acted as leaders that would inspire many generations.

Above all, as a woman of colour feminist, Maya Angelou suffered from much racism,

but she did not allow that to hold her back. In the novel, her grandmother is the first character

who taught Maya to stay strong, even during times of racism. In the text, there are many times

where it took place, but the most prevalent would be when the Dentist Lincoln had refused to
work on a young Maya Angelou, his words were Annie, my policy is Id rather stick my hand in

a dogs mouth than in a niggers. (Angelou, 189) Despite the fact that both she and her

grandmother were emotionally hurt, Mrs. Henderson did not allow Dentist Lincoln to disrespect

her. Rather she held her ground, marched in the office told him to give her the money she had

owed him from the great depression days. She even charged him the interest of $10, so she could

afford to take her to the coloured dentist. It was demonstrated in this text, that despite being

ridiculed and put down, Mayas grandmotherMrs. Henderson was not going to take the easy

way out, but rather she would hold her ground and fight for her grandchild's rights.

Even though Maya Angelou was a young 15-year-old coloured girl, she was still

determined to get a job. She was going to become a streetcar conductor, the first black female as

a matter of fact. When she had gone for the job, the white receptionist almost rejected Mayas

chance at an interview with the boss by making up excuses such as, he was outhe would be

back tomorrow, (266) but Maya refused to give up she was determined and willing. She told

herself I WOULD HAVE THE JOB, I WOULD BE A CONDUCTORETTE, AND SLING A

FULL MONEY CHANGER FROM MY BELT. I WOULD (268) this willingness of not

backing away from a challenge is what caused her to get the job. As a woman in a society that

was expected to obey the gender rules, the traditional ways of a woman. However, Maya was not

going to conform, rather she would be greater than what they told her she could do, which she

had done. Even in today's society as a woman, especially a woman of colour, sometimes have to

endure racism and be overlooked. So as a result when they are told no, they have to tell

themselves, yes it can be done and it will. Simply that is what Maya did, this accomplishment led

the way too many more accomplishments. Her book, in fact, made Angelou one of the first black
women to enjoy mainstream success. (Maya Angelou inspired, Oregon lives) So the

struggles that she had faced at as a child had inspired her, in the end, to strive for the best.

Secondly, many women of colour activist, such as the narrator had to work harder than

the others. By either overcoming sexual abuse or working twice as hard, whether that be in

school, the workplace, on the streets etc. Growing up in a country that defined beauty by

something other than authors reflection, was hard. As it meant that the minorities were not nearly

as desirable as the superiors (The Caucasians during this time period), so the WOC was

constantly looked down upon. Having been a rape victim at the age of 7 years old meant that

Angelou was scared, terrified, and feared men. For the next 6 years of her life, she was silent and

did not have a voice, just like many feminists who cannot speak as they are scared. The ones that

do not have rights are overlooked and underappreciated. But it was with the help of another

woman, Mrs. Flowers who helped Maya Angelou to learn how to use that voice again to up-rise

and speak. She had said Now no one is going to make you talkpossibly no one can. But bear in

mind, language is a mans way of communicating with his fellow man and it is language alone

which separates him from the lower animals. (Angelou, pg 98) That quote started the revolution

for Maya to change her life. That meant working harder than her fellow peers in school, as a

result she was two grades ahead. She graduated grade 8 at the age of 12, as she understood that

success took hard work. Also, living in a country where it was run by men took, even more,

work, if you wanted to progress in life. For example, Suzanne Shank who is the first African

American woman to lead a publicly traded financial institution. CEO of Siebert Brandford Shank

& Co. LLC. A $1.2 Trillion Dollar company. She exhibited her talents as a woman in a

predominantly mans world, proving that success is not determined by gender but by hard
work. Like many young aspiring feminists, she was not going to just become another housewife,

someone's maid, or a receptionist. She was going to do much more than was expected of her.

Overall, Maya Angelous contribution to the feminist movement inspired many women

around the world. As a civil activist, she also inspired Women of Colour feminist society.

Angelou's contribution to the world as an activist has made her known by millions, she inspired

and mentored celebrities--even the former president of the United States. One of those celebrities

being Oprah Winfrey, who had a similar upbringing to Miss. Angelou's, Oprah was even raped

as a child! In an interview conducted back in 2000 on Oprah, she had referred to Maya Angelou

as "mentor-mother-sister-friend..." also she "offers wise words about the roots of confidence, the

trouble with modesty and how to do the impossible."("Oprah Talks...", 2000) It can be

demonstrated in this quote that Maya has made a large impact in many people's lives. The fact

Maya, nor Oprah did not just become victim to sexual abuse, or racism goes on to show that

women are strong, and once given a voice, they are capable of doing anything. Similarly, around

the world today, so many women, especially the minorities are given voice. Years ago minorities

could not do much, if women tried something out of their norm, then they were mocked. If they

tried to go against the unpopular opinion, it most possible resulted in death. But as activist

leaders set an example, and hold their grounds as womenwomen of colour, then it inspires the

younger generations to come.

In conclusion, Maya Angelou is a well-known name in the activist, poet, and WOC

society. She has accomplished many great things in her life, from being the first black streetcar

conductor to the best-selling mainstream black poet of her time, and to be an inspiration for

others. Her poems have been recited much time throughout history, especially through the

women of colour communities. Angelou was able to give many women subjected to sexual abuse
and racism a voice through her poetry, she helped young women to learn how to love themselves

which is vital to the feminist movement. She did not conform to the stereotypical gender roles

that were assigned to her but rather, she went on to write world famous poems that inspired many

generations. The poems would be the foundations for the young WOC feminist such as Amandla

Stenberg, and Rowan Blanchard. As the younger girls and women learn how to use their voice, it

only further propels the feminist movement. So soon, men and women all around the world will

be viewed as equal.
 Works Citied

Angelou, Maya, and Oprah Winfrey. I know why the caged bird sings. New York: Ballantine ,

2015. Print.

"Maya Angelou, the Feminist." EBONY. N.p., 29 May 2014. Web. 31 July 2017.

Pardon Our Interruption. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 July 2017.

Press, The Associated. "Maya Angelou inspired others with her poetry, activism and personal

story." OregonLive.com. N.p., 28 May 2014. Web. 31 July 2017.