3-01-2026 8:41pm

Women’s History Month: A Phenomenal Women Dr Maya Angelou

John Williams Editor

Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was a celebrated American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist known for her7 autobiographies, most notably I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970). Overcoming a traumatic childhood, she became a renowned singer, dancer, and key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

Early Life and Education

Born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Suffered severe childhood trauma; she was raped by her mother's boyfriend at age eight and subsequently went mute for five years.
During her silence, she developed an incredible memory and love for literature.
Attended1George Washington High School and the California Labor School. Wikipedia +4

Career and Activism

Pioneer: Became the first African American female cable car conductor in San Francisco at age 16.
Performer: Worked as a singer, dancer, and actor, including a role in the TV series Roots.
Activist: Served as the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and worked with Malcolm X in Ghana.
Writer: Published seven autobiographies, with the firstI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, bringing her international acclaim.
Educator: Became a professor at Wake Forest University in 1981. Wikipedia +5

This video tells the story of Maya Angelou's life and her rise to becoming a world-renowned author: