What makes maya angelou important

She first joined in , shortly after writing the film Georgia, Georgia about an interracial romance, but made her official directorial debut at 70 with Down in the Delta The movie is about a mother who sends her children away from Chicago to live with family in rural Mississippi so that they could learn about their roots.

She grew up in Stamps, Ark. Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia. By Olivia B. Consolidated News Pictures; Getty Images. Maya Angelou during an interview in Washington, D. Get our History Newsletter. Put today's news in context and see highlights from the archives. Please enter a valid email address. Please attempt to sign up again. Having garnered numerous prestigious literary and humanitarian awards as well as over 50 honorary degrees, Angelou was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom the following year by President Barack Obama.

The award is distinguished as the highest civilian honor in the United States. After suffering a traumatic childhood, the St. Louis native conquered the worlds of theater, television, movies, books and poetry. The African American writer shared her message of "survival" and "hope" in the poem. Learn about Martin Luther King Jr.

Du Bois and other prominent African American figures. Take a look at some of the most well-known female brothel owners in history. Each of these pioneers achieved a first for African Americans. Exploring themes of racism, oppression and violence, these African American writers have rightfully earned their place in the canon of great authors. From the origins of her name to her friendship with Beau Biden, here are some interesting facts about the vice president.

During her mutism and into her teens, she again lived with her grandmother in Arkansas. Throughout her childhood, she wrote essays, poetry, and kept a journal. When she returned to Arkansas, she took an interest in poetry and memorized works by Shakespeare and Poe. However, her application was rejected because of her involvement in the California Labor School, which was said to have Communist ties.

Determined to gain employment, despite only being 15 years old, she decided to apply for the position of street car conductor. Many men had left their jobs to join the services, enabling women to fill them. However, Angelou was barred from applying at first because of her race.

But she was undeterred. Every day for three weeks, she tried to request a job application, but was denied. Finally, the company relented and handed her an application. Because she was under the legal working age, she wrote on her application that she was She was accepted for the position and became the first African American woman to work as a streetcar conductor in San Francisco. Angelou was employed for a semester and then decided to return to school.

In her last year of school, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son soon after graduating from high school. After graduation, Angelou undertook many civil rights activities. She was northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

This organization, which was created in by Martin Luther King Jr. The book was published in , and was nominated for the National Book Award the same year. Her autobiography has since been translated into numerous languages, and it has sold over a million copies. Angelou is also noted for her many and varied singing and dancing styles, including her calypso music performances.

She also won a Grammy in and again in for her spoken albums of poetry.