These lines reinforce the value of inner beauty, female courage and self-confidence while scrutinising gender clichés and given social standards. The speaker presents herself not as pretty, cute or “built to fit a fashion model’s size” (line 2), but as strong, proud, mysterious, in one word: phenomenal. Rejecting gender stereotypes, the strong voice encourages and empowers women to be proud of who they are – despite society’s standards for female beauty and behaviour.

As a child, Maya Angelou experienced sexual assault. Later, she became involved in the sex industry and reflected on her experience with rape and sexual violence in her autobiographies. 

Poem · United States · 1995