TREC Tributes - Maya Angelou 1928 - 2014

Farewell to a legend 

Your contribution to this world was boundless. You will rest well as you lived well.  We WILL not forget you and what you stood for. 

A prolific writer covering a myriad of genres: poetry, autobiographies, essays, plays, movies, and television shows, The Race Equality Centre pays homage to Maya Angelou who clearly knew why the caged bird sings. 

USA TODAY Network lists 13 of her best quotes. 

1. "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." 

1. "I am a Woman….Phenomenally.  Phenomenal Woman, that's me." 

1. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

1. "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." 

1. "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style." 

1. "My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return." 

1. "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." 

1. "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." 

1. "We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated." 

1. "You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive." 

1. "One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest." 

1. "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."