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Birth
Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and officially given the name, Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou. -
High School
Maya began attending George Washington High School and studied drama and dance. -
Streetcar Conductor
After dropping out of school and two weeks of persistence and determination, Maya Angelou finally secured a job as a streetcar conductor in San Francisco, California, and she became the first black female streetcar conductor ever. -
First Album
Maya Angelou recorded her first album, "Calypso Lady," after working and touring as a calypso dancer for several years. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator
Maya became the northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference upon request by Martin Luther King Jr. -
Move to Egypt
Maya and her family moved to Cairo, Egypt, where she worked as a newspaper editor. The family continued to travel and later even moved to Ghana for a few years. -
Back to the U.S.
Maya moved back to live in the United States again after living in Ghana. -
Autobiography Published
Maya Angelou published her first autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," about her early life and childhood. -
Pulitzer Prize Nomination
After she published her first autobiography and continued writing a variety of poems and song lyrics, Maya Angelou was nominated for the Pulitizer Prize. -
Georgia, Georgia Film
Maya Angelou became the first African American woman to ever have written the screenplay for a film. Angelou wrote the "Georgia, Georgia" film script -
Langston Hughes Medal
Maya Angelou was awarded the Langston Hughes Medal for being a talented, inspiring African American writer and poet. -
On the Pulse of Morning
Maya read her poem, "On the Pulse of Morning," at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, upon his request. She was one of the first poets to give an inaugural address. -
Mother Teresa Award
Angelou received the Mother Teresa Award. -
Death
Maya Angelou passed away due to failing health
