Document 17: Maya Angelou, "To Form a More Perfect Union," from National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, The Spirit of Houston: The First National Women's Conference (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978), p. 195.

Photograph of Commissioner Maya Angelou.
From The Spirit of Houston: The First National Women's Conference, p. 195.

Introduction

   Maya Angelou, famous poet, actress, playwright, film director, professor and author, wrote this poem for the National Women's Conference. The poem was written on a scroll that was carried by relay runners with the conference torch from Seneca Falls. New York, to Houston where Angelou read the poem (see Document 16). When the scroll reached Houston it had been signed by thousands of supporters and upon its arrival at the conference was signed by NCOIWY commissioners, conference delegates, and prominent speakers, including the three First Ladies who spoke at the First Plenary Session. Commissioner Angelou also represented the arts as a member of the NCOIWY.

‘…To Form A More Perfect Union…’

We American women view our history with equanimity. We allow the positive achievement to inspire us and the negative omissions to teach us.

We recognize the accomplishments of our sisters, those famous and hallowed women of history and those unknown and unsung women whose strength gave birth to our strength.

We recognize those women who were and are immobilized by oppression and crippled by prejudice.

We recognize that no nation can boast of balance until each member of that nation is equally employed and equally rewarded.

We recognize that women collectively have been unfairly treated and dishonorably portrayed.

We recognize our responsibility to work toward the eradication of negatives in our society and by doing so, bring honor to our gender, to our species, and to ourselves individually.

Because of the recognition set down above we American women unfold our future today.

We promise to accept nothing less than justice from every women.

We pledge to work unsparingly to bring fair play to every public arena, to encourage honorable behavior in each private home.

We promise to develop courage that we may learn from our colleagues and patience that we may attack our opponent.

Because we are women, we make these promises.

Maya Angelou
1977               

   

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