A couple of years ago I heard Maya Angelou speak at Mars Hill College in western NC. I was never clear why she was speaking at this small college tucked away in the mountains, but I felt thrilled to be near her. I discovered Ms. Angelou’s writing years earlier, and later listened to “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” on audio. That’s when I realized the impact of her work wasn’t only her gift of writing, but hearing her poetic voice deliver the message.

When Ms. Angelou entered the stage at Mars Hill and walked slowly to the podium, it was clear she was aging and somewhat frail. Before she spoke, she first looked into the audience, taking us in fully. She began speaking with her strong and powerful voice – as clear, deliberate and rhythmic as I remember her being on that first audio I listened to decades ago. During her talk she would smoothly glide between her own present state comments into a poem delivered through another’s voice and back, in and out of characters that were both herself and others. Full of meaning and prompting self-reflection from the audience, being there in her presence was nothing less than amazing.

I’ve frequently reflected on that experience and have wondered what made her so powerful – her words, the voice, certainly the message. Yet there was more to the experience she created, and it certainly was not a “performance”. She had an authentic presence about her, which prompts the question, where does that kind of authenticity come from? Is it a gift she was born with supported by education and work, or even a result of surviving life challenges, stemming from the pain and joy of experiences she uniquely had? Regardless, she certainly had an authentic presence, and through her words and influence was able to counsel us on what is truly important.

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.

Like many, I’m sad to hear of her passing. I know, though, that the way she made so many people feel will live on forever.