Angelou, Maya
(1928- ), American author, poet, and entertainer, best known for her
portrayals of strong African American women. Born Marguerite Johnson
in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou spent most of her childhood living
with her grandmother in rural Arkansas. She moved to her mother's home
in San Francisco after graduating with honors from Lafayette County
Training School in 1940. At the age of 16 she graduated from high
school, gave birth to her son Guy, and began a series of jobs,
including cooking and waiting tables. In the 1950s she became a
nightclub performer and began careers as a singer, dancer, actor,
playwright, magazine editor, civil rights activist, poet, and
novelist.
Much
of Angelou's writing stresses the themes of courage, perseverance,
self-acceptance, and realization of one's full potential. In her works
she frequently presents strong female role models. Her most prominent
writing includes her series of autobiographical books, which starts
with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970) and in which she
describes African American life in witty, intelligent language rich in
rhythm and texture. The series continues with Gather Together in My
Name (1974), Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like
Christmas (1976), The Heart of a Woman (1981), and All
God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986).
Angelou's
books of poetry include Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I
Diiie (1971), Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well
(1975), And Still I Rise (1978), Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?
(1983), Now Sheba Sings the Song (1987), I Shall Not Be
Moved (1990), and Phenomenal Woman (1994). The Complete
Collected Poems of Maya Angelou appeared in 1994. Wouldn't Take
Nothing for My Journey Now, a book of inspirational meditations on
life, was published in 1993. A collection of essays, Even the Stars
Look Lonesome, appeared in 1997.
Angelou
read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at the inauguration
of President Bill Clinton in January 1993. She has received many
awards and honorary degrees, including Grammy Awards (1994 and 1996)
for her recordings of her poetry on the albums On the Pulse of
Morning (1993) and Phenomenal Woman (1995). In 1998 Angelou
made her directing debut with the release of the motion picture Down
in the Delta. The film is about a troubled woman who returns to
the home of her ancestors in the Mississippi Delta.
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