Poet, author, dancer and overall Renaissance woman Maya Angelou, 86, died May 28 at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou — for all she’s endured and accomplished — will forever be one of the most revered human beings to ever live.

Her legacy lives on.

Angelou was a woman who persevered through her perilous childhood. She was born into the insurmountable hardships of segregation and poverty. Angelou was also a victim of sexual abuse.

She was never defeated.

Angelou overachieved tremendously. She published seven autobiographies, three books of compelling and insightful essays and a multitude of books of poetry. Angelou was also a recipient of several dozens of awards and more than 30 honorary doctoral degrees. She is honored and revered all over the world.

Here in Wichita, we have a library named after her: Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Public Library, 3051 E. 21st St. In fact, Angelou has several ties to Wichita. In March 1974, Angelou was invited by George Rodgers to serve as a guest professor for a month at Wichita State.

I’m sure students at the time benefited greatly from the teaching of Angelou. Her presence alone speaks volumes.

I’ve never been privileged to have met or been taught by Angelou, but I learned several things from her. Quotes such as, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you,” “When someone show you who they are, believe them the first time” and “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude,” resonated with me profoundly.

Reading the work of Angelou inspired me to embrace myself with absolute joy and conviction. I have profound admiration and respect for her as a woman and human being for all she’s endured and taught others. It is easy to become what your circumstances represent to you. Angelou never lost her sense of humanity and value in the midst of all she was subjected to.

They may have been able to subjugate her body, but nothing could have suppressed her mind and sense of self-worth.

That is something we all can learn from. Too often we allow society to place us in categories and roles that they deem suitable. We must fight the urge to submit and limit ourselves.

Times have changed.

If Maya Angelou can transcend the segregation and poverty of her generation, we can overcome any obstacle that presents itself. It’s a matter of choice.