JanuThe US Mint begins circulation of a new US quarter featuring Angelou, making the legendary poet and activist the first Black woman ever to appear on the coin.Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. Passes away at her home in North Carolina. She says the paraphrased quote about King being a drum major for peace, justice and righteousness makes him sound like an “arrogant twit.” Federal officials later announce that the controversial inscription will be removed.Ģ013 - Her eighth autobiographical book, “Mom & Me & Mom”, a tribute to her mother and grandmother, is published. Day celebration at Virginia Tech.įebruAwarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.ĪugAngelou is critical of the new Martin Luther King Jr. JanuIs the keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr. OctoRecites the poem “From a Black Woman to a Black Man” at the Million Man March in Washington, DC.ġ998 - Film directorial debut for “Down in the Delta.”Ģ000 - Receives the National Medal of Arts.įebruary 2002 - Wins a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “A Song Flung Up To Heaven.”Ģ006-2010 - Hosts a weekly show for Oprah Radio on Sirius XM Radio. March 1995 - Wins a Grammy for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album for “Phenomenal Woman.” Kennedy’s 1961 ceremony.įebruary 1993 - Wins a Grammy for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album for “On The Pulse Of Morning.” JanuRecites her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, becoming the second poet to participate in a president’s inauguration after Robert Frost read at President John F. It is later broadcast on national television in 1979, with a script and musical score written by Angelou.ġ972 - Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie.”ġ972 - Becomes the first African American woman to have an original screenplay produced as a movie for “Georgia, Georgia.”ġ975 - Appointed to the Bicentennial Commission by President Gerald Ford.ġ975-1976 - Member of National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year.ġ977 - Appears in the television mini-series “Roots.”ġ981 - Appointed Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. Succeeds Bayard Rustin as the northern coordinator for the SCLC.ġ961-1962 - Moves to Egypt, and becomes the associate editor of the Arab Observer.ġ963-1966 - Lives in Ghana and works as an assistant administrator for the School of Music & Drama at the University of Ghana and as a feature editor for the African Review.ġ970 - “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is published. Kelly’s in Chicago, and Blue Angel and Village Vanguard in New York.ġ954-1955 - Tours Europe and Africa as Ruby in a State Department-sponsored production of “Porgy and Bess.” Also, teaches modern dance in Italy and Israel.ġ957 - Her only recorded album, “Miss Calypso,” is released.ġ960 - Writes, produces, directs and performs in the musical revue, “Cabaret for Freedom,” to raise money for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Drops out to become San Francisco’s first female African American cable car conductor.ġ950s - Nightclub performer at the Purple Onion in San Francisco, Mr. This is the basis for her first autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”ġ942 - While a high school student, she studies drama and dance at the California Labor School, a college for adults.

Angelou stops speaking in public for five years as a result of her guilt and belief that her words had caused Freeman’s murder. After Angelou confides in her brother and testifies at Freeman’s trial, Freeman is found beaten to death, apparently at the hands of Angelou’s uncles. Louis to live with their mother.ġ936 - Is raped by her mother’s boyfriend, Mr. Studied dance with Pearl Primus in New York.ġ931 - Her parents divorce and Angelou is sent, with her brother Bailey, to live with their paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas.ġ935 - Angelou and her brother move to St. Marriages: Paul du Feu (1973-1980, divorced) Tosh Angelos (divorced)Įducation: Attended California Labor School, 1942Īuthor, poet, actor, singer, songwriter, dancer, playwright, historian, civil rights activist and teacher.įluent in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and West African Fanti.įirst African American female member of the Directors Guild of America. Here is a look at the life of Grammy-winning author and poet Maya Angelou.

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