-
Birth.
Maya Angelou is born in Saint Louis, Missouri. Her birth name is Marguerite Johnson -
Maya drops out of School
Angelou took on many roles other than author during her life. She dropped out of school during 1942 to become San Francisco's first African American female cable car conductor. -
Motherhood
Maya takes on the role of motherhood upon the birth of her first son, Guy, in 1943. -
The Move
Maya meets Vusumzi Make, a South African civil rights activist, and moves with him and her son to Cairo, Egypt. -
Another Move
Maya moves to Ghana and works as an assistant administrator at the University of Ghana. -
Publication
Maya's autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is published. (Note: Neither italics nor underlines were available to punctuate book title). -
Appointment
President Jimmy Carter appoints Maya to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year. -
Teaching
In 1982, Angelou was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. -
Celebrity Acquaintances
In 1984, Angelou meets the famous Oprah Winfrey and becomes her friend and mentor. -
President Clinton's Inaugruation
Angelou writes and delivers a poem at Clinton's 1993 inauguration. -
Hope for Peace and Justice Voice of Peace Award
Maya becomes the first recipient of the Hope for Peace and Justice Voice of Peace Award. -
Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama awards Maya Angelou with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. -
Death
Maya dies peacefully. She was in poor health leading up to her death. She dies while still working on an autobiography.
