Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was an American writer, poet, and civil rights activist, widely regarded as one of the most important literary voices of the 20th century. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, she endured profound childhood trauma, including sexual abuse, after which she became mute for several years — an experience she later credited with deepening her relationship to language and poetry. She emerged from this silence to become a singer, dancer, actress, and eventually a celebrated author and poet.

Angelou is best known for her autobiographical work, particularly «I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings» (1969), the first of a series of memoirs that broke new ground in how Black American life and womanhood were portrayed in literature. Her poetry, including collections and standalone works like «Still I Rise», addresses themes of racism, resilience, identity, and dignity, often drawing on oral traditions and rhythmic, musical language rooted in the Black American experience.

Active during the Civil Rights Movement, she worked alongside figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She gained wide public recognition when she recited her poem «On the Pulse of Morning» at Bill Clinton's 1993 presidential inauguration. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her lasting influence on American letters and civil rights.