A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a youth she’s content to leave behind….
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her old age….
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a feeling of control over her destiny.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to fall in love without losing herself.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
when to try harder… and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that her childhood may not have been perfect…but its over…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month…and a year…
Let me add. I got information on this article from Terry who responded to this post and checked it out. Seems this isn’t a Maya Angelou quote but in fact the original is from a wonderful writer named Pamela Redmond Satran. My apologies!
i recevied this in a e-mail and i need it at that particular time in my life
Very enjoyable piece, but not written by Maya. The author is Pamela Redmond Satran, terrific writer BTW, who wrote it for Glamour magazine some years back, the actual title being “What every woman should know by the time she’s 30″. Nice site !
wow! good to know—-and Glamour magazine to boot! Thank you for your comment.
here’s the info on Pamela Redmond Satran Terry mentions in his comment to my post. thank you Terry!–http://www.pamelaredmondsatran.com/articles.php
hi seeing, and especially terry.. i’d like to thank you for the info on pamela being the original writer of the piece. i’m a maya’s fan and i didnt recall her writing the poem, im so grateful that i come here to find out the truth..
***If you see this poem miscredited to Maya Angelou,
please notify the website owner to direct attribution
of EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
to Pamela Redmon Satran and link to Pam’s website at:
http://www.pamelaredmondsatran.com
Love it, It’s just what some women need to read, know and understand.
Love it, It’s just what some women need to read, know and understand.
Good thinking for all to read through and consider how it fits their life!
I laughed ’til I cried.
Wonderful, no matter how old.’Maybe the older one gets, it means more. FUN!
Thanks for sharing that Lucille! Fun indeed—we have the smarts and the patience to enjoy the little things.
I Like it that is how I have always lived my life alway forwood never back. I have come from being homeless on the streets, of reno to owning my own home. I have come from being a maid to being a licenced caregiver…hugs linda
The poem is eternal with no respector of age, status,etc.
I love it and will pass it on to many women. Acknowledgement goes to the proper author!
This wonderful poem was not written by Maya Angelou, who has disclaimed it on her own website – rather this was written by author Pamela Redmond Satran.
So true so many women don’t but a woman should KNOW
Thank you for your article.Much many thanks. Want more.