Maya Angelou
Dr. Maya Angelou—celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist—was honored as the inaugural National Dignity & Respect Champion in 2011. “Maya Angelou has demonstrated unshakable faith and a commitment to the values of family, community, and culture throughout her life.
Whether as a cable car conductor, a waitress and cook, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey company, an editor of an English – Language paper in Egypt, a coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a Pulitzer Prize nominee, or a Presidential Medal of Arts winner, Dr. Angelou values all members of the human family,” said Dignity & Respect Campaign founder and chair, Candi Castleberry-Singleton.