poet, memoirist, activist
A woman of many artistic talents, Maya Angelou wrote seven autobiographical books and several collections of poetry. On top of her literary success, she was a civil rights activist alongside figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, and earned over fifty honorary degrees.
Best-known works: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie, On the Pulse of Morning (inaugural poem for President Bill Clinton)
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