.lines by the heart.

For millions of women who can recite these lines by heart and draw strength from their earthy take on female empowerment, it is comforting to know that the woman who penned them, Maya Angelou, continues to write, lecture and teach at age 81.

Pretty women wonder where
my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a
fashion model size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal women,
That's me.

-From "Phenomenal Women"
by Maya Angelou