Authors: Maya Angelou By Biography.com Editors and A+E Networks, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.08.16 Word Count 846

Maya Angelou reciting her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993. Courtesy, William J. Clinton Presidential Library

Synopsis: Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She is perhaps best known for "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," her 1969 book about her early life. The book made history as the first nonfiction best seller by an African-American woman. In 1971, Angelou published the poetry collection "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie," which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In 1993 she recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" during the inauguration ceremony of President Bill Clinton's first term. Angelou received many honors throughout her career, and was loved by countless readers. She died in 2014, at the age of 86.

Early Years

Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Maya Angelou had a difficult childhood. Her parents separated when she was very young, and she and her older brother, Bailey, were sent to live with their father's mother in Stamps, Arkansas. As an African-American, Angelou experienced a great deal of prejudice and discrimination growing up. She also suffered at the hands of a family friend when she was very young. Around the age of 7, she was assaulted by her mother's boyfriend. The man was then killed by Angelou's uncles out of revenge. Angelou was so upset by the experience that for years she stopped talking.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1 During World War II, Angelou moved to San Francisco, where she studied dance and acting. Also during this time, Angelou became the country's first black female cable car conductor, though she only held the job briefly. In 1944, when she was 16, Angelou gave birth to a son, Guy. The child was born following a short-lived high school relationship. To support herself and her child, Angelou had to work a number of jobs without the help of the father. In 1952, Angelou married Anastasios Angelopulos, a Greek sailor. From him she took her professional name — a blend of her childhood nickname, "Maya," and a shortened version of his family name.

Career Beginnings

In the mid-1950s, Angelou's career as a performer began to take off. She landed a role in a touring production of the musical "Porgy and Bess," and later appeared in the off- Broadway production "Calypso Heat Wave" in 1957. In that same year, she released her first record album, "Miss Calypso." In 1961, Angelou appeared in a rendition of Jean Genet's play "The Blacks," with James Earl Jones, Louis Gossett, Jr. and Cicely Tyson. The play explored what it meant to be black in a society filled with prejudice.

Though the play earned strong reviews, Angelou decided to move on to other pursuits. She spent much of the 1960s abroad, first in Egypt and then in Ghana. During these years, she worked as an editor and a freelance writer. After returning to the United States, Angelou was urged to write about her life experiences by James Baldwin, a friend and influential writer. Her efforts resulted in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," the enormously successful 1969 book about her childhood and young adult years. The heart-wrenching work made Angelou an international star.

Later Successes

Angelou wrote several other accounts of her own life, including "All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes" (1986) and "A Song Flung Up to Heaven" (2002). She also published several collections of poetry. Among these are the Pulitzer Prize–nominated "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie" (1971).

One of Angelou's most famous works is the poem "On the Pulse of Morning," which she wrote especially for and recited at President Bill Clinton's inaugural ceremony in January 1993. Angelou went on to win a Grammy Award for the audio version of the poem. In 1995, Angelou was celebrated for being on The New York Times' paperback nonfiction best- seller list for two years. Her run was the longest in the chart's history. Angelou also published a number of inspirational works. These include the essay collection "Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now" (1993), and "Letter to My Daughter" (2008).

Angelou then decided to try her hand at something new. In 1998 she directed the movie "Down in the Delta," starring Alfre Woodard. The movie won the Chicago International Film Festival's 1998 Audience Choice Award and a nod from the Acapulco Black Film Festival

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2 in 1999. Angelou also received two NAACP Image Awards, one for her 2004 cookbook "Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories With Recipes" and the other for 2008's "Letter to My Daughter." In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Angelou the nation's highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

On May 28, 2014, Angelou died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The news of her passing spread quickly, with many people taking to social media to mourn and remember her. Singer Mary J. Blige and political star Senator Cory Booker were among those who hailed her. President Barack Obama also issued a statement about Angelou, calling her "a brilliant writer" and "a fierce friend." He wrote that Angelou "had the ability to remind us that we are all God's children; that we all have something to offer."

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3 Quiz

1 Based on the information in the article, how did Angelou became a famous writer?

(A) She was recruited by publishers after she became a successful actress.

(B) After the release of her album, "Miss Calypso," she was recognized for her skill in writing.

(C) Angelou became known for her work as an editor and writer abroad.

(D) Angelou's novel, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," became very popular.

2 Which piece of evidence from the text BEST supports the idea that Angelou was a skilled writer?

(A) She spent much of the 1960s abroad, first in Egypt and then in Ghana. During these years, she worked as an editor and a freelance writer.

(B) After returning to the United States, Angelou was urged to write about her life experiences by James Baldwin, a friend and influential writer.

(C) In 1995, Angelou was celebrated for being on The New York Times' paperback nonfiction best-seller list for two years. Her run was the longest in the chart's history.

(D) Angelou then decided to try her hand at something new. In 1998 she directed the movie "Down in the Delta," starring Alfre Woodard.

3 Which of the following answer choices describes two central ideas of the article?

(A) Angelou's acting career was her most important accomplishment; she faced many difficulties in her personal life.

(B) Angelou's childhood affected her greatly; she is best known for her work as an actress and movie director.

(C) Angelou experienced discrimination throughout her life; as a famous author, she spoke out against discrimination.

(D) Angelou worked hard to overcome the difficulties she faced; she received many awards for her writing.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4 4 Which sentence from the section "Early Years" is MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

(A) Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Maya Angelou had a difficult childhood.

(B) Her parents separated when she was very young, and she and her older brother, Bailey, were sent to live with their father's mother in Stamps, Arkansas.

(C) In 1944, when she was 16, Angelou gave birth to a son, Guy.

(D) In 1952, Angelou married Anastasios Angelopulos, a Greek sailor.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5