What is the underlying reason for Laurie Halse Anderson putting Maya Angelou into her novel Speak i know that I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has to do with Maya's rape?

Laurie Halse Anderson includes Maya Angelou in her novel "Speak" to draw a parallel between the experiences of the protagonist, Melinda, and Maya Angelou's autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" where Angelou also deals with themes of trauma and silence around sexual assault. By referencing Maya Angelou, Anderson highlights the importance of finding one's voice and speaking up about difficult experiences.