A truly amazing human, Maya Angelou is one of the best examples of somebody channeling their pain into something good. A famous poet, writer, and civil rights activist, she led one fascinating and varied life. Angelou worked numerous jobs in her youth, from fry cook and sex worker, to opera singer and war journalist. It really seems like there's nothing she couldn't do.
Angelou is famous for her series of memoirs, which detail the abuse she experienced throughout her life. One particular memoir, Why the Caged Bird Sings, recounts her life before the age of 17. When she was eight years old, Angelou was sexually abused and raped by her mother's boyfriend, who was jailed for just one day after being found guilty. We're so grateful that she managed to turn her own pain into something beautiful for others who are struggling.