Literature Spotlights

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was born, Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis Missouri. She was later given the nickname "Maya" by her brother. She was an American poet, actress, author, filmmaker, and civil rights leader. Angelou published more than 30 fiction and non-fiction titles including her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In 1972, she became the first African American woman to have her screenplay produced. In 1996, she produced her first feature film, Down in the Delta. Angelou served on two Presidential Committees. She received numerous honors and awards for her accomplishments including The Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000. She is still hailed as a Global Renaissance Woman. Maya Angelou died on May 27, 2014, at the age of 86.