Maya Angelou is one of the American autobiographer and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is well known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early on adult experiences. The first and most greatly acclaimed, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her first seventeen years. It brought her international respect, and was nominated for a National Book Award. She has been awarded over 30 honorary degree and was selected for a Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie.
Angelou was a member of the Harlem Writers Guild in the late 1950s, was active in the Civil Rights movement, and served as Northern Coordinator of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. A Tony Award nomination for her position in the 1973 play Look Away, and three Grammys for her spoken word albums. In 1995, Angelou's publishing company, Bantam Books, known her for having the longest running record on The New York Times Paperback factual Bestseller List. In 1998, she was induct into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She has provide on two presidential committees, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2000 and the Lincoln Medal in 2008. Musician Ben Harper has privileged Angelou with his song "I'll Rise", which include words from her poem, "And Still I Rise." She has been awarded above thirty honorary degrees.
Angelou was a member of the Harlem Writers Guild in the late 1950s, was active in the Civil Rights movement, and served as Northern Coordinator of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. A Tony Award nomination for her position in the 1973 play Look Away, and three Grammys for her spoken word albums. In 1995, Angelou's publishing company, Bantam Books, known her for having the longest running record on The New York Times Paperback factual Bestseller List. In 1998, she was induct into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She has provide on two presidential committees, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2000 and the Lincoln Medal in 2008. Musician Ben Harper has privileged Angelou with his song "I'll Rise", which include words from her poem, "And Still I Rise." She has been awarded above thirty honorary degrees.
| Born | Marguerite Ann Johnson |
| Date Of Birth | April 4, 1928 |
| Place Of Birth | Saint Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Occupation | Poet, civil rights activist, dancer, film producer, television producer, playwright, film director, author, actress, professor |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Literary movement | Civil rights |
