Maya Angelou
(b. 1928)

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. Her grandmother, who owned a country store in Stamps, Arkansas, raised her and her older brother Bailey. Angelou later became a journalist, a civil rights worker, and an author. Angelou is best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970), the first of her series of five autobiographical novels. This book also earned her a National Book Award nomination. She received a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize for her collection of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Dillie (1972).

In addition to her writing, Angelou has made a name for herself as an actor. She was nominated for a Tony for her performance in Look Away (1973) and an Emmy for best supporting actress for her performance in Roots (1977).

Angelou read her poetry at President Clinton's inauguration in 1992. In 1994, she won a Grammy for best spoken-word or nontraditional album for her recording of "On the Pulse of Morning." When asked why she writes, Maya Angelou said, "I write because I love language, and I find it a wonderful conveyance to send my thoughts, or to gather my thoughts and to share them."

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