Dr. Maya Angelou, renowned international poet, author, actor, director, professor and Civil Rights activist passed from labor to rest in her home on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. She was 86 years old.. Quoting the official statement made on behalf of her family on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, “ Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.” - Guy B. Johnson
Dr. Angelou was a good friend of Liberia, who strongly advocated for the interest of Liberia and the Liberian people in the United States.Notable among her advocacy in the interest of the Liberian people was when she pleaded with passion on behalf of thousands of Liberians in the United States who needed an extension of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to avoid deportation in 2009.Dr. Angelou was a member of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs exchange alumni community following her Fulbright 40th Anniversary Distinguished Lecturer grant in 1986, during which she lectured in Liberia on American Literature.On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, particularly the Liberian community in the United States, the Embassy of Liberia extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Government and people of the United States for the loss of this beloved American icon, who had a great impact on the world for her positive contributions to the cause of humanity.May her soul rest in peace.
A Little History about Maya Angelou and her association with Liberia and Liberians.
March 18, 2009 (from LOP website) In collaboration with the Liberian Organization of the Piedmont (LOP), world renown poet, writer, play-write and Wake Forest University professor emerita of American Studies, Dr. Maya Angelou, pleads on behalf of Liberians facing eminent mass deportation from the United States after March 31, 2009. Her emotionally charged pleads can be seen in this special video which she recorded to be used effectively by creating an awareness of Liberians impacted by the status of their TPS. She expresses her heartfelt hurts and disappointments about the emerging plights of those thousands of Liberians to be affected in disbelief. Rather then sitting on the sideline, she decided to help prevent their mass deportation by adding her voice to others, including those of prominent U.S. statesmen and women who always cared and have been advocating tirelessly on behalf of Liberians since the beginning of their TPS in 1991. Among such distinguished people are: Senators Jack Reid, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Babara Mikulski, Mary Landrieu, Amy Klobuchar, and Sheldon Whitehouse. Others include Representatives Patrick Kennedy, Donald Payne and our own NC Representative Larry W. Womble, to name just a few.
Close ties with a Liberian Family MAYA ANGELOU – AUNT MAYA
In 1961, the Government of Liberia appointed Joseph Williamson(my father) Second Secretary & Consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Cairo, Egypt. There he and his wife Bahnti met Maya Angelou and became lifelong “siblings” and friends.During one of President Tubman’s visits to Egypt, Maya Angelou was honored to have performed for the President.Wanting to leave Egypt, Charge d’Affaires Williamson was instrumental in getting her a job at the Ministry of Information in Monrovia. Unfortunately, she was unable to take up the position due to a motor accident that her son, Guy Johnson sustained in Accra, Ghana.For over half a century they maintained a relationship that was full of love and understanding. During a visit to Liberia, Aunt Maya bridged protocol to lived in Caldwell, at our residence. When Mammy and Daddy moved to the United States during the Liberian Civil War, Aunt Maya used her influence in getting Daddy a job as Visiting Professor at Winston Salem University in North Carolina.When Joe and AB(my parents) returned to Liberia in 2009, there was a monthly call between the parties. On the passing of both AB & Joe, Aunt Maya paid tributes to each of them.On April 5, 2014, one day after her 86th birthday, Maya Angelou’s portrait was unveiled at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Members of the Williamson Family were invited and did attend the ceremonies.In Aunt Maya’s passing, we are sure that that TRIO will never be apart again. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL
More Fact Pictures and Videos.......
1. About Mandela:http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218502.htm
2. Short Bio:http://udel.edu/~arbrown/webpage.html
3. Liberian deportation ; http://www.lopnc.org/relevant_links/dr_angelou_on_deportation
4. Video- I am Human : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePodNjrVSsk
5. Video with Oprah on the Power of Words : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PXdacSqvcA
6. Video On Courage : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWTXkVPhEXU
7. Video- Biography in 3 minutes :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTuI5qtUSts
8. Video - full bio : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf3vy1B8-Zs
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