Maya Angelou Timeline

By MThiemet

  • Marguerite Ann Johnson is Born

    Marguerite Ann Johnson was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her older brother gave her the nickname "Maya."

  • Angelou Sells Albums of Her Recordings

    In the 1950s, Angelou performed professionally in the US, Europe, and northern Africa in the calypso and cabaret styles.

  • Harlem Writers Guild

    Angelou joined the Harlem Writers Guild in New York City in 1959.

  • Angelou and the Civil Rights Movement

    Angelou became active in the Civil Rights Movement and served as the northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

    Angelou published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

  • Georgia, Georgia, Becomes a Film

    Angelou became the first African-American woman to have her screenplay, Georgia, Georgia, turned into a film.

  • President Clinton's Inauguration

    Angelou wrote “On the Pulse of the Morning,” which was written for and delivered at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.

  • Angelou Wins a Grammy

    Angelou won a Grammy for her spoken albums of poetry.

  • National Medal of the Arts

    President Clinton awarded Angelou the National Medal of Arts.

  • Presidential Medal of Freedom

    President Obama awarded Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor in the US.

  • Wake Forest University Writers Hall of Fame

    Angelou was a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Wake Forest University Writers Hall of Fame.

  • Mom & Me & Mom

    Angelou eventually published six more autobiographies, which became a collection in 2013’s Mom & Me & Mom.

  • National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award

    Angelou received the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award for outstanding service to the American literary community.

  • Angelou's Death

    Angelou died on May 28, 2014.

  • Angelou's Postage Stamp

    Following her death, the US Postal Service issued a stamp with her likeness on it.