Maya Angelou’s Journey: Writing and Civil Rights

Maya Angelou, originally named Marguerite Johnson, married a sailor and adopted the name Angelou. She became a successful calypso dancer and toured internationally, discovering her passion for writing. She joined the Harlem Writers Guild and became involved in the Civil Rights movement, working with Martin Luther King Jr. After living in Africa, she returned to the US, encouraged by James Baldwin to write about her life.

What was Maya Angelou's profession before she realized her passion for writing?

• A calypso dancer

• A chef

• A teacher

• A painter

Which languages did Maya Angelou learn during her travels?

• Russian and Chinese

• Portuguese and Dutch

• Italian and French

• Spanish and German

To which city did Maya move to pursue her writing career?

• Los Angeles

• New York City

• Boston

• Chicago

Who inspired Maya Angelou to write about her life experiences?

• James Baldwin

• Toni Morrison

• Charles Dickens

• Alice Walker

What role did Maya Angelou play in the Civil Rights movement?

• She was a speechwriter for Martin Luther King Jr.

• She was a financial supporter of the movement

• She organized protests in New York

• She was a regional director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference