Maya Angelou
- Born:
- Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928; St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Died:
- May 28, 2014; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Memoirist, Civil Rights Activist, Singer, Dancer, Actress, Composer, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Experienced a traumatic childhood, including a period of muteness after a childhood assault.
- Briefly worked as a streetcar conductor in San Francisco.
- Traveled through Europe with a production of Porgy and Bess.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined the Harlem Writers Guild in the late 1950s.
- Worked as a journalist in Egypt and Ghana during the early 1960s.
- Played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, working with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
- Read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
- Received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.
Notable Works
Autobiographical Series
- The first and perhaps defining work within this series, and for many, maya angelou most famous autobiography, is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969).
- Gather Together in My Name (1974)
- Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas (1976)
- The Heart of a Woman (1981)
- All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986)
- A Song Flung Up to Heaven (2002)
- Mom & Me & Mom (2013)
Poetry Collections
- Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie (1971)
- And Still I Rise (1978)
- Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? (1983)
- I Shall Not Be Moved (1990)
- Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women (1994)
Film & Television
| Title | Year | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia, Georgia | 1972 | Writer | Film |
| Roots | 1977 | Actor (Nyo Boto) | TV Miniseries |
| Down in the Delta | 1998 | Director | Film |
Legacy and Impact
Maya Angelou's body of work has left an indelible mark on American literature and culture. Her writing explored themes of racism, identity, family, and resilience, inspiring generations of readers and writers. Her activism and advocacy for social justice further cemented her status as a cultural icon.