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Born in St. Louis Missouri
Had a very difficult childhood with divorced parents
Raped at the age of 7 by her mother's boyfriend- she became mute from the trauma -
After asking for weeks for the job of conducting a street car she was finally accepted.
Showed the strength and courage that she had for her own power and rights. -
She would win a scholarship to study and dance at the California Labor School
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Mid 1950's she would land her first big role in Porgy and Bess
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She would release her first album Miss Calypso
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She would travel to Egypt and Ghana
Worked as a freelance writer
Became friends with Malcolm X -
Started this with Malcolm X
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Urged by a friend and fellow writer to write about her life experiences
This was the first nonfiction bestseller by an African-American Woman
Was on the New York Time's best-seller list for two years, the longest time ever -
"Just Give me a Drink of Water 'fore I Diie."
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Nominated for her role in the play Look Away
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Nominated for her role in helping to produce Roots.
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President Bill Clinton awarded her this for all the writing and the impact she had on the arts
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Several Memorials were held in her honor including one at Wake Forest University
The Postal Service put a picture of her on a stamp in 2015