She was also a published author of three collections of essays and several books of poetry as well as scripts for plays, movies, and television shows. She published seven autobiographies, for which she is most famous for. Maya Angelou was an African-American who had an extensive career as a poet, essayist, memoirist, singer, actress, playwright, educator, and civil rights activist. What is Maya Angelou’s most famous piece of work?.Download the Maya Angelou Facts & Worksheets.Angelou continues to be revered as a woman of many talents who-through her artistic, academic, and humanitarian endeavors-shed light on the issues of family, racism, sexism, and economic oppression. Maya Angelou died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on May 28th, 2014. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1993, Angelou was invited to read her poem " On the Pulse of Morning" at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. She also received many honorary degrees from universities over the course of her life. In 1981, Angelou was appointed professor of American studies at Wake Forest University. Her many talents earned her award nominations and wins in multiple fields, from a Pulitzer Prize nomination for poetry to five Grammy awards for her spoken-word albums. Six subsequent autobiographies followed this early success, as well as several volumes of poetry. In 1969, her first published autobiographical work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, became a bestseller. Inspired by her encounters with authors and editors, she eventually decided to turn the anecdotes of her colorful life into autobiographies. and Malcolm X, and she worked tirelessly for the Civil Rights Movement. She was also a friend to both Martin Luther King Jr. She became one of the first black female screenwriters and directors in Hollywood. In 1966, she moved back to California and wrote scripts for television and film. The Harlem Writer’s Guild encouraged her budding literary talent, and she performed in several theatrical productions around the world. In the 1950s, Angelou moved to New York City. A brief marriage and a prominent position as a dancer in a San Francisco club inspired her professional name, Maya Angelou. She worked intermittently as a dancer, cook, waitress, and sex worker. While her mother embraced her newborn grandson, Angelou had to work hard to support him. One year later, she graduated from high school and subsequently gave birth to her only child. At age 16, she became the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco. In 1940, Angelou moved to San Francisco with her mother. Angelou was sent back to Arkansas once again, where she sheltered herself from the world and found comfort in reading classic literature and studying at school. Angelou’s uncles murdered the man upon his release, and Angelou's fear and guilt over naming her assailant led to nearly five years of muteness. When Angelou was eight years old, her mother’s boyfriend raped her, leading to a one-day jail sentence. A contrast with the city life of her early years, Angelou's childhood was passed in Stamps’ close-knit black neighborhood under her grandmother’s strict moral and religious guidance. Louis, Missouri, Angelou's parents' divorce resulted in Angelou and her brother being sent to Stamps, Arkansas to live with their paternal grandmother and uncle. and Malcolm X.īorn Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Angelou is best known for her many books of poetry and autobiographies, as well as her active participation in the Civil Rights Movement, which involved working with Martin Luther King Jr. Maya Angelou was an American writer and civil rights activist.
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