Cleveland -- Margaret Mitchell was a student of Maya Angelou for ten days in 1983. The Hampton Institute is a place where inspiring writers learn from the world's best authors. During those ten days Angelou passed along far more than trips on writing – it was sage advice on living and writing about your experiences.
Thirty years have passed since those lessons, but Mitchell who now serves as the President of the YWCA of Greater Cleveland shared with Channel 3 some thought she had on the life of giant.
"She was a woman of wisdom. Her words dripped with such powerful wisdom no matter where you were in your life or circumstance. She was all about being peaceful, practical, being true to yourself and being true to your core. She found that space, and was in that space long before it was a hip thing to do. A powerful woman of wisdom."
"For me, when I first met her in the mid 1980's she had a bold, striking look. Her features were very African. At the time, that was not considered beautiful, not a standard of beauty. And yet she embraced her beauty in such a powerful way, that I know looking at her I saw my reflection. And because she had such confidence, it gave me confidence. Even, the way she wore her hair, very short. This was a bold reflection of: I am beautiful. And she did it in such a way that was so elegant. It was life changing. It was a life changing opportunity to have a chance to meet her."
"She had a way of calling you out. In the sweetest, gentlest way; that really invited you in, and didn't push you back. And that is why we're going to see Kings and Presidents and the everyman and woman recognize her. Because she had that ability."
