Angelou Speaks at Luncheon

Speaking yesterday at a private luncheon in North House, poet and author Maya Angelou encouraged students to use their intellectual talents to better society, according to those who attended.

Dr. S. Allen Counter, the director of the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, said that more than 200 people attended the event, which the Foundation cosponsored with North House.

Complaining of fatigue, Angelou cancelled a subsequent public event--the widely-advertised "Afternoon of Poetry and Discussion"--scheduled for after the luncheon. She had planned to meet and speak with the general Harvard public.

During the luncheon, Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 gave Angelou the key to the city.

"She's such an invigorating speaker," said Carlos R. Whiteman '95, who attended the luncheon. "Words can't express it."

"She had a very spiritual presence," said Marsha M. Johnson '97, president of the Freshman Black Table.

Paul J. Martin '94, senior student assistant for the Foundation, said Angelou's condition was "not serious," but there are no plans to reschedule the cancelled event.

At the luncheon, Angelou surprised her audience by introducing her speech with a medley of songs representing a variety of ethnic cultures.