Dignitaries react to Dr. Maya Angelou's passing at age 86

Dr. Maya Angelou had a 50 year career spanning fields from literature to film to theater--and fiercely fought for civil rights along the way. So it's only fitting that her passing has elicited emotional reactions from political dignitaries and many others touched by her rich legacy.

As a poet laureate, Dr. Angelou was asked by the then newly-elected President Bill Clinton to create a poem for his inauguration in 1992. That initiated a 20 year friendship that he acknowledged in a statement today:

"With Maya Angelou's passing, America has lost a national treasure; and Hillary and I, a beloved friend.

The poems and stories she wrote and read to us in her commanding voice were gifts of wisdom and wit, courage and grace.

I will always be grateful for her electrifying reading of "On the Pulse of Morning" at my first inaugural, and even more for all the years of friendship that followed.

Now she sings the songs the Creator gave to her when the river "and the tree and the stone were one."

Our deepest sympathies are with Guy and his family."

Dr. Angelou lived in New York City for a number years where she focused on honing her writing and participated in the Civil Rights movement. Former Mayor David Dinkins, New York City's first African-American mayor had this to say about Dr. Angelou:

The world will long remember Maya Angelou. She lived and spoke of life as the bittersweet blessings in the struggle for expression and the principles of fairness, equality and justice.

"What an incredible journey she traveled, born in St Louis; raised in a segregated city in Arkansas; a period of time residing in the land of her ancestry; and traveling the globe before completing her journey in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Maya Angelou will reside forever in the hearts of people the world over. We must share all that she gave of herself while she was with us to the generations that will follow.

As a writer, actor, singer, dancer, one of film and stage's first black female directors, a university professor, among her many talents, Maya's impact was remarkable. She is a beacon to young people for all of the healing and power that can possibly rise out of a damaged heart. After years of silence based on her youthful & misplaced self-blame for the heinous acts of grown-ups - thankfully, Maya gave her heart a voice through poetry:

Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear - I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear - I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise.... I rise... I rise.

In paying tribute to this great lady, we must preserve her legacy by raising voices and opening the doors. Sadly, we now gather together in your name, Maya, and we will never, ever forget your stunning, embracing grace.

We will miss her greatly, but we know that the world is a better place because Maya Angelou was here and sang her song. She fought the good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith...and now she can rest."

Similarly, current mayor of New York City Bill De Blasio and his first lady Chirlane McCray reflected on her contributions to the world and declared his commitment to further what he saw as her legacy:

"Along with so many New Yorkers, we were saddened to learn of Maya Angelou's passing. Literature has lost one of its greatest voices, the civil rights movement has lost one of its staunchest activists, and the world has lost a woman whose fierce compassion will shape our lives for generations to come. Looking back on Dr. Angelou's remarkable life, we are reminded that the best way to honor her memory is to continue her work. Today, and in the days to come, let us work together to advance her dream of a more fair and peaceful world."

Another New York politician, Governor Andrew Cuomo reflected on the legacy of the literary legend and her footprint on New York City's landscape:

"Today we mourn the passing and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou, whose voice, passion, and life has left a lasting influence on our state and nation. Dr. Angelou was deeply involved in our nation's Civil Rights movement and spent her life helping ensure that dignity, respect and opportunity were extended to all men and women. Her poetry and prose were an extension of her love and hope for humanity, a testimony of wisdom and strength that will continue to inspire generations of Americans."

"Dr. Angelou always considered New York City - especially Harlem - to be her second home. That is why we in New York State are so honored to have her personal papers housed at Harlem's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I send my condolences to her loved ones."

New York politicians were not the only ones mourning Dr. Angelou's loss:

Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy said "Dr. Maya Angelou's powerful voice was one of perseverance, hope, and unity. Her incredible life story was an inspiration and a beacon of strength for countless people across America and around the world. She will be missed, but her message will live on."

His Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman also weighed in saying: "Dr. Maya Angelou's death is a great loss. Her work profoundly changed literature and inspired countless people throughout this nation and around the world. She was a powerful educator and we are grateful for her voice and the legacy that she leaves."

Oprah Winfrey has long called Dr. Angelou her mentor, she released this statement:

"I've been blessed to have Maya Angelou as my mentor, mother/sister, and friend since my 20's. She was there for me always, guiding me through some of the most important years of my life. The world knows her as a poet but at the heart of her, she was a teacher. 'When you learn, teach. When you get, give' is one of my best lessons from her.

"She won three Grammys, spoke six languages and was the second poet in history to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. But what stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it's how she lived her life. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace. I loved her and I know she loved me. I will profoundly miss her. She will always be the rainbow in my clouds."

Dr. Angelou was also a strong proponent for civic action and campaigned on behalf of President Barack Obama. He had this to say about her passing:

"When her friend Nelson Mandela passed away last year, Maya Angelou wrote that 'No sun outlasts its sunset but will rise again and bring the dawn.'"

"Today Michell and I joining millions around the world in remembering one of the brightest lights of our time-a brilliant writer, a fierce friend and a truly phenomenal woman. Over the course of her remarkable life Maya was may things-an author, poet, civil rights activist, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer and dancer. But above all, she was a storyteller-and her greatest stories were true. A childhood of suffering and abuse actually drover her to stop speaking-but the voice she found helped generations of Americans find their rainbow amidst the clouds, and inspired the rest of us to be our best selves. In fact, she inspired my own mother to name my sister Maya.

Like so many others, Michelle and I will always cherish the time we were privileged to spend with Maya. With a kind word and strong embrace, she had the ability to remind us that we are all God's children; that we all have something to offer. And while Maya's day may be done, we take comfort in knowing that her song will continue, "flung up to heaven"-and we celebrate the dawn that Maya Angelou helped bring."