-
Birth
Born in St. Louis Missouri
Had a very difficult childhood with divorced parents
Raped at the age of 7 by her mother's boyfriend- she became mute from the trauma -
Street Car Conductor
After asking for weeks for the job of conducting a street car she was finally accepted.
Showed the strength and courage that she had for her own power and rights. -
San Francisco
She would win a scholarship to study and dance at the California Labor School -
Beginning of Acting Career
Mid 1950's she would land her first big role in Porgy and Bess -
First Album
She would release her first album Miss Calypso -
Time in Africa
She would travel to Egypt and Ghana
Worked as a freelance writer
Became friends with Malcolm X -
Organization of Afro-American Unity
Started this with Malcolm X -
Now I know why the Caged Bird Sings
Urged by a friend and fellow writer to write about her life experiences
This was the first nonfiction bestseller by an African-American Woman
Was on the New York Time's best-seller list for two years, the longest time ever -
Pulitzer Prize Nominated Poem
"Just Give me a Drink of Water 'fore I Diie." -
Tony Award Nomination
Nominated for her role in the play Look Away -
Emmy Award Nomination
Nominated for her role in helping to produce Roots. -
Presidential Medal of Arts
President Bill Clinton awarded her this for all the writing and the impact she had on the arts -
Death
Several Memorials were held in her honor including one at Wake Forest University
The Postal Service put a picture of her on a stamp in 2015