Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Women” was a turn on of a lightbulb into the way I

think about myself today. This poem taught me so much about our ridiculing society. The so
where the expectations of women are unattainable and ludicrous. The society as see as
sometimes only fit for men.

To me, this poem is of a particular interest, especially in these times of social media and the
societal pressures towards women and their bodies. The towering pressure to be;

The prettiest.

The slimmest.

The most appetizing.

Appetizing. Like food, women, sitting on a lone plate, waiting to be devoured by these
societal constructs, until we are left with no trace of anything unique to us.

Angelou’s short and hard-hitting lines:

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.

truly conveys the vital message to women, just like me that empowerment comes from the
confidence and faith in my own magical female skin. It does not come from how others
perceive me. It communicates to me that no matter the pressure from boys, parents or even
friends to conform to the unwritten rules of beauty, that my inner self is the phenomenal
part.

Maya Angelou’s poem creates a personal and comforting layer to a number of well-known
issues myself and other women are constantly faced with. It has taught me to use
transparency when talking about issues that jeopardize me, in a way to let others close to
me they aren’t alone. Not alone, in a habitat built to control my (a woman) individuality and
creativity. Not alone I can continue to spread this message to them while carrying out her
values and advice.