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Maya Angelou is an American poet, actress, author, and activist.
Angelou wrote a poem especially for the late Michael Jackson, which was read by Queen Latifah, at his memorial service on July 7, 2009.
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Fast Facts
- Born: April 4, 1928
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
- Literary Genre: Poetry, Nonfiction, Fiction
- Awards: 2000 Presidential Medal of Arts, 3 Grammy Awards, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award nominations, over 30 honorary degrees
- Mentor to Oprah Winfrey
- TMZ claimed Angelou was rushed to the hospital on October 3, 2009 http://www.nbcmiami.com/entertainment/ce...
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Career
Maya Angelou's first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, garnered her a National Book Award nomination. In it, she recounts being sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend, who later dies after spending a day in prison. The incident left Angelou mute for five years.She eventually spoke again, later performing in Porgy and Bess and other off-Broadway shows in the 1950s. She then worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
In 1971, her first book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie, was published. The book got a Pulitzer Prize nomination, and Angelou's subsequent writings have earned her numerous awards and honors in her lifetime.
She continues to write and tour as a lecturer.
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Notable Written Works
- 1969 - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
- 1971 - Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie
- 1978 - And I Still Rise
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Notable Recorded Works
- 1993 - On The Pulse of Morning
- 1995 - Phenomenal Woman
- 2002 - A Song Flung Up to Heaven
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Related Mahalo Pages
Oprah Winfrey | Martin Luther King Jr. | Zora Neale Hurston | Elizabeth Alexander | Phenomenal Women | I know Why the Caged Bird Sings | Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die | Freedom Movement | Roots | Black History | Poets | Philosophers | Amazing Peace | Poetry for Young People | Mother a Cradle to Hold Me | Celebration Rituals of Peace and Prayer | And Still I Rise | Guy Johnson | Aung San Suu Kyi
Categories
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Managed Since: 10/04/2009
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Managed Since: 10/04/2009
Views: 13
Money Earned: M$0.23
Page revenue is subject to change as we obtain data from our partners
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The Mahalo Top 7
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Official Website: Maya Angelou
mayaangelou.com -
YouTube Video: "Still I Rise" Maya Angelou (Time: 2:52)
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Liveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service
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PoetryFoundation.org: Maya Angelou
poetryfoundation.org -
Wikipedia: Maya Angelou
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Oprah and Friends Radio: Maya Angelou on XM Radio
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Academy of Achievement: Maya Angelou Biography
achievement.org
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Official Website: Maya Angelou
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Maya Angelou News
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Maya Angelou, Rihanna among Glamour mag's honorees
But the biggest ovation at Monday evening's award ceremony went to the 81-year-old poet Maya Angelou, whose soaring words on the power of womanhood brought ...The Associated Press (November 10, 2009) -
Gift of Gab
Perhaps the best moment is her take on Nobel laureate Maya Angelou, spouting what many might think but few would have the balls to say. ...Metro Weekly (November 11, 2009) -
Veterans Day 2009 Quotes: 25 million living veterans
–Maya Angelou “Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a solder dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war. ...Health Care N Diet (November 11, 2009) -
Home should reflect who you are, make you feel safe
Maya Angelou (1928-), American autobiographer, "All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes" (1986) Several years ago I wrote a column about safe havens, ie, ...Las Vegas Review - Journal (November 12, 2009)
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Maya Angelou on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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wishing that iconoclast with either dave chappelle and maya angelou or wynton and john besh would come on ifc
@JaguarJus | November 12, 2009 10:19 AM -
to those who have given up on love, I say, trust life a little bit - Maya Angelou
@jystb | November 12, 2009 10:13 AM -
Maya Angelou is going to be in the city. Who wants to come with me? :-)
@Kisses4may | November 12, 2009 09:22 AM -
#FavoritePoems Maya Angelou reading "And I Rise"(video),@http://bit.ly/rFLHx,
@watergatesummer | November 12, 2009 08:54 AM -
RT @watergatesummer: #FavoritePoems Maya Angelou reading "And I Rise"(video),@http://bit.ly/rFLHx,
@MeanderingSoul | November 12, 2009 08:29 AM
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Questions and Answers About Maya Angelou | View All | Ask a Question
View All Maya Angelou Questions (15) | Ask a QuestionWhy did Maya Angelou write Phenomanel Women (1 Answer)Maya Angelou writes poetry to make money and maintain her status. She picks up on the trends just like any business woman and writes what will sell. She is a ... read moreWhere can I find accurate literary criticism on this particular poem. The critics need to be professinal not just average joes. please help (1 Answer)The following three sites are all from Gonzaga University. They each analyze different part of the poem. I found this interesting. http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~aspitzer/dylan_analysis.html http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~aspitzer/analysis.html http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~aspitzer/analysis3.html Some interesting comment from a teacher; ... read moreWho is Maya Kibbel? (1 Answer)Maya Kibbel is a family friend of the Jonas Brothers She also helps run the fan page titled nickjonline.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3461965964/ read morewho is maya kibbel? (2 Answers)Maya Kibbel. is 14 years old From Wyckoff, New Jersey ! she is the girl who's friends with the Jonas Brothers .See more in the video.And her facebook. read more
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Maya Angelou on Amazon | View All
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The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou - $25.95
For the first time, the complete collection of Maya Angelou's published poems-including "On the Pulse of Morning"-in a permanent collectible, handsome hardcover edition.
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ABC News Classics Maya Angelou - $14.95
Celebrated poet/writer/actress/performer Maya Angelou talks to ABC News about how she used her own life experiences to become an award-winning literary figure and most read black female writer in the world. Maya Angelou grew up in Stamps, ...
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Black Pearls: The Poetry of Maya Angelou - $17.98
Black Pearls: The Poetry of Maya Angelou opens with the poet reading hard words: "No, the gap-legged whore on the eastern shore, enticing Europe to come into her"; "kneeling mothers picking undigested beans from yesterday's shit"; an...
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - $6.99
Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at...
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Letter to My Daughter - $25.00
For a world of devoted readers, a much-awaited new volume of absorbing stories and inspirational wisdom from one of our best-loved writers.Dedicated to the daughter she never had but sees all around her, Letter to My Daughter...
Amazon
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Maya Angelou Publications Timeline
- 1960: Cabaret for Freedom
- 1966: The Least of These
- 1970: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
- 1971: Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die
- 1974: Gather Together in His Name | Ajax
- 1975: "Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well"
- 1976: Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas | And Still I Rise (Play)
- 1978: "And Still I Rise" (Poem)
- 1981: The Heart of a Woman
- 1986: All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes
- 1994: "Phenomenal Women"
- 2002: Song Flung Up to Heaven
- 2005: "Amazing Peace"
- 2006: Mother, a Cradle to Hold Me | Celebrations, Rituals of Peace and Prayer
- 2007: Publishes Poetry for Young People
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Maya Angelou Personal Timeline
- 1928: Born, Margarite Johnson in St.Louis, Missouri.
- 1935: Does not speak for five years after sexual trauma.
- 1940: Learns classic literature from Beulah Flowers | Begins to speak again
- 1944: Graduates Mission High School | Gives birth to her son Guy.
- 1949: Marries Tosh Angelos
- 1952: Wins dance scholarship California Labor Schools
- 1952: Marriage to Angelos dissolves
- 1954-1955: Tours Europe as "Ruby" in Porgy and Bess
- 1954-1955: Studies dance with Martha Graham | Dances with Alvin Ailey
- 1957: Appears in Calypso Heat Wave
- 1960: Writes, produces and appears in Cabaret for Freedom
- 1970: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings nominated for National Book Award.
- 1971: Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die nominated for Pulitzer Prize
- 1973: Marries Paul DuFeu
- 1977: Writes Still I Rise - one act musical
- 1980: Marriage to Paul DuFeu dissolves
- 1983: Winner of the Matrix Award
- 1990: "I Shall Not Be Moved" wins Candace Award.
- 1992: Wins Horatio Alger Award
- 1993: Writes and delivers a poem at Bill Clinton's inauguration, "On the Pulse of the Morning".
- 2006: Wins Mother Theresa Award
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