Writer Maya Angelou is best known for her heartrending 1969 memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which describes a childhood that was unsteady and often traumatic, including a five-year period where she became mute after an assault. But she blossomed in young adulthood, discovering a love for literature and writing. Angelou was the first Black woman to drive a San Francisco streetcar, and tried out careers in singing and acting before becoming a writer. Her remarkable life experiences stand as a reminder that bold action makes our lives fuller and more interesting —  as long as we continue to embrace what’s possible.