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's profession before she realized her passion for writing?

How did Maya Angelou respond to criticism from her fellow writers?