Milwaukee residents remember Dr. Maya Angelou

MILWAUKEE-- The epitome of strength, courage, and rising through the darkest times-- that's how the world remembers Dr. Maya Angelou.



Dr. Eve Hall watched Dr. Angelou speak during one of her last visits to Milwaukee.



\"She is just the person who sends chills through your heart and through your soul,\" she recalled.



She says Dr. Angelou's words-- take you on a journey. 



\"When you hear her speak it, you're hearing her live it,\" explained Dr. Hall, \"and you're hearing her encourage you.\"



For Giovanni Omni, Dr. Angelou's words cross barriers of race, gender, and sexual orientation.



\"By her words, by her readings, and her poetry, I was just motivated to be myself,\" said Omni.



Omni and Dr. Hall say poems like \"Still I Rise,\" remind people of their inner strength.



\"Despite slavery, despite Jim Crow, despite again, some of the odds against us-- we still rose,\" said Dr. Hall.



Dr. Angelou died Wednesday at the age of 86, but her legacy lives on through her writing and those who loved her.



\"We know this was a woman who truly did celebrate and enjoyed life and touched others in ways that others have not,\" said Dr. Hall.



Dr. Angelou's family said in a statement-- \"She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.\"