-
Marguerite Johnson Born in St. Louis, Missouri
-
Period: to
Lived with paternal grandma in Stamps, Arkansas
-
Period: to
Became mute for 6 years
After she was raped by her mom's boyfriend, the trauma from feeling confession played a role in his death, she became mute. -
Period: to
Attended George Washington High School
-
Had her son, Clyde, at the age of 17. He later changed his name to Guy Johnson.
-
Married a Greek sailor and started her career as a nightclub singer under the name Maya Angelou
This marriage did not last but the singing career did. -
Became active in the Civil Rights Movement and served as the northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a prominent African American advocacy organization.
Worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. -
Moved to Cairo Egypt with Vusumzi Make.
Served as editor of the English language weekly The Arab Observer. -
Published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
-
"Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die"
-
President Gerald Ford to the Bicentennial Commission and by President Jimmy Carter to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women'a year.
-
"The Heart of a Woman"
-
Named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
-
Awarded grammy for "Best Spoken Word Album" for her inaugural poem "On the Pulse of Morning."
-
President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
-
Maya Angelou Died