Maya Angelou was born on this day in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. As a child, she was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, where her love for literature blossomed. She kept a journal, wrote poems and essays, and memorized works by William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe.
In her late teens, Angelou moved to Oakland, California with her mother and became the first Black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco. She later graduated from Mission High School in 1944 and soon after welcomed her only son, Clyde Bailey Johnson.
Throughout her life, Angelou achieved remarkable success. She played a vital role in the civil rights movement as the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
As a poet and author, she captivated the world with her autobiographies, poetry, and children’s literature. Her contributions earned her numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination, multiple Grammy Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received from President Barack Obama in 2010.
Maya Angelou’s legacy is immeasurable. She is remembered for her resilience, wisdom, and profound influence, leaving an enduring impact on generations long after her passing.
