Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Mourn the Passing of Maya Angelou

May 28, 2014

Center Founder calls her, "One of the great representatives of the struggle for civil rights and human dignity in the United States and around the world."


The Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance, its educational arm, mourn the passing of the great American author, poet, and performing artist, Dr. Maya Angelou.

 Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of the Wiesenthal Center praised her as, "One of the iconic figures in the history of our country and one of the great representatives of the struggle for civil rights and human dignity in the United States and around the world." Dr. Angelo was awarded the Center's Distinguished Service Award in 2003.

Dr. Angelou's retelling of the time in her childhood when the world began to open up is featured in Finding our Families, Finding Ourselves, a permanent exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

"Raised by her grandparents in their grocery store in Stamps, Arkansas, she learned the hard way, studying geography and history by reading can labels in the store," said Rabbi Hier. "We are honored that her voice and words form a lasting contribution to the Museum's educational legacy," he added.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 members. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament.

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