Maya
Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson, is an author, poet, historian,
conductor, actor, singer, songwriter, playwright, film director,
and civil rights activist. Born in a segregated rural area of
St. Louis, Arkansas, she comes from a broken home, was raped at
eight, and was an unwed mother at 16 years old. Throughout all
these circumstances she still managed to become San Francisco's
first black woman conductor. She was also the first black woman
to have an original screenplay produced in 1971, Georgia, Georgia.
She has several volumes of poetry and some of her composed music
was recorded by B.B. King She was also nominated for an Emmy Award
for her acting in Roots and Georgia. She is fluent in French,
Spanish, Italian, and West African Fanti.
Ms. Angelou began her career in drama and dance, and she married
a South African freedom fighter and lived in Cairo. During her
five years in Africa, she lived in Egypt and became the editor
of The Arab Observer, the only English-language news weekly in
the Middle East. Later she taught in Ghana and was feature editor
of The African Review. In the 1960's she said that being black,
female, non-Muslim, non-Arab, six foot tall, and American made
for some interesting experiences during her stay in Africa. During
this time she was also the northern coordinator for the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference at the request of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. She was appointed to the Bicentennial Commission by
President Gerald Ford and the National Commission on the Observance
of International Women's Year by Jimmy Carter. She has published
ten best selling books and countless magazine articles, and in
1993 she wrote and delivered the presidential inauguration for
President Bill Clinton.
One of Maya Angelou's books, I Know Why the Caged
Bird Sings, an account of her youth, describes the trauma of being
raped as a child, the violent death of her attacker, and her subsequent
refusal to speak for five years. It has been the target of many
censorship attacks. In one case, Round Rock, Texas parents thought
that the book was "pornographic" and "just plain
filth." The book was also filmed as a two hour special for
CBS. Currently, Ms. Angelou lectures throughout the United States
and abroad and recently has been named a Reynolds professor of
American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes. New York: Random House,
1986.
And Still I Rise. New York, Random House, 1978.
Complete Collected Poems, 1995.
Even the Stars Look Lonesome
Gather Together in My Name. New York: Random House, 1974.
The Heart of a Woman. New York: Random House, 1981.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House. 1969.
I Shall Not Be Moved, Random House, 1990.
A book of poems, including "Human Family," "Equality,"
and "These Yet to be United States."
Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, Random House,
1971.
Now Sheba Sings the Song (With Art by Tom Feelings), New York:
E.P. Dutton/Dial Books, 1987.
A poem, dedicated by Angelou "To all my black, brown, beige,
yellow, red, and white sisters."
Oh Pray My Wings are Gonna Fit Me Well. New York: Random House,
1975.
On the Pulse of Morning: Inaugural Poem, 1992.
Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? New York: Random House, 1983
Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas. New York:
Random House, 1976.
Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now. New York: Random House,
1993.
Our recommendations for the best CD's
from the best artists.
Whether you're thinking of exploring an unfamiliar style or already
building a focused collection, our Essentials pages can streamline
your musical search. From alternative music to zydeco, bebop to
hip-hop, the Essentials will lead you to the hundreds of artists
and thousands of recordings that matter.
