Maya Angelou, renowned poet and Reynolds Professor of American Studies, spoke to a packed house at Winston-Salem State University's Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium at the school's Maya Angelou Day Nov. 6.

The capacity crowd of over 2,000 WSSU students, faculty and community members spilled into the aisles for standing room only as Angelou spoke to the crowd about tolerance and equality, recounted stories from her childhood and recited passages of her poetry.

G.L. Brown, director of conferences and institutes, said WSSU was both honored and excited to have Angelou attend her day of honor.

"It's a celebration of her ability to touch so many people," Brown said. "It's our expression of thanksgiving to her for what she's given to our city. And it's a celebration of the philosophy she espouses. To quote Dr. Angelou, 'We are more alike than we are different.'"

A lecture on African American culture led by a WSSU professor and a community poetry reading were in conjunction with Maya Angelou events held earlier in the day.

Angelou said she was overwhelmed at the end of her performance with the amount of interest and respect she received from the university.

"I thank you for all you have done to encourage this honor you have given to me," Angelou said. "It is an honor to represent you all. I thank you for coming willingly. I thank you for loving and encouraging me."

Tasha Hall, a sophomore at WSSU, said Angelou had taught her much about self-love and acceptance for others, and said she was amazed with Angelou's speech.

"It was an honor (to see her)," Hall said. "It was like hearing the pope speak."

Arthur Affleck, vice chancellor for university advancement at WSSU, said he and the chancellor of the university visited Angelou two-and-a-half months ago and asked if they could honor her with her own day.

He described Angelou as someone committed to social change and as a role model to all, especially to women.

"She's obviously a national treasure," Affleck said. "We are overjoyed she is a friend to the university. It's the highlight of this year. The turnout of each of the events was very strong. We're fortunate to have her in this community, like Wake Forest is fortunate to have her."

Affleck said he was pleased with the strong community involvement for the events and with the WSSU student body.

"I wondered whether students were as aware and as moved by her as some of the older members of the community," Affleck said. "But I watched the audience ¯ they got it. They were moved and thinking and laughing. She speaks for the generations."

Angelou spent nearly two hours telling her personal history, such as the fact that she spent six years of her childhood without speaking, and speaking on subjects from the power of poetry to racism.

"I would encourage us all to stop using racial pejoratives against any race," Angelou said at the close of her speech. "If a child hears the n-word at home É it is crippling. The words were developed to dehumanize people."

Angelou also recited many of her poems, including "I know why the caged bird sings" and "I shall not be moved."