Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was at the height of her career when she was invited to recite "On the Pulse of Morning" at the first inauguration of US President William J Clinton. But even as far back as her humble beginnings, Maya Angelou realized she had an important story to tell, one that would resonate with African Americans and women.

She was  born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1928. After a series of occupations including kitchen worker, sex worker, performer and journalist, she became a writer and a poet and joined the Harlem Writers Guild. In 1970, she published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography of her life up to the age of 17. This book received international acclaim and would ultimately become required reading at college campuses all over the world.

Her poem "Still I Rise" is recited because it emphasizes determination and persistence in the face of adversity, two characteristics that best describe Maya Angelou herself. Because of her significant contribution to the field of literature--7 autobiographies, 3 books of essays, and numerous poetry collections, plays and screenplays--in 1982 Ms. Angelou was appointed the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina for life.

Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for Maya Angelou. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.