Maya Angelou at Spelman College

<p>Dr. Maya Angelou was a poet, professor, memoirist, actor, singer, author, educator and <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_rights_activist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">civil rights activist</a>. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and appeared in numerous plays, movies, and television shows over a 65 year career. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees</p><p>In literary circles, Maya Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Know_Why_the_Caged_Bird_Sings" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</em></a> (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.</p><p>Her books center on themes including <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_the_United_States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">racism</a>, identity, and family</p><p>She was active in the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Movement" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Civil Rights Movement</a> and worked closely with both <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Martin Luther King Jr.</a> and <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Malcolm X</a>. </p><p>On January 20, 1993, Angelou became the second poet in American history -- and the first African American and woman -- to read a poem at a presidential inauguration, when she recited her original work "<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Pulse_of_Morning" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On the Pulse of Morning</a>" at the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_Bill_Clinton" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first inauguration of Bill Clinton</a>.</p><p>She was the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robert Frost</a> at the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inauguration_of_John_F._Kennedy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">inauguration of John F. Kennedy</a> in 1961.</p><p>Angelou's audio recording of the poem won the 1993 <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grammy Award</a> for "Best Spoken Word" - introducing her to a whole new generation and bringing much deserved recognition for her previous works.</p><p>As evidenced by her Grammy win - Maya Angelou was as brilliant a performer as she was a writer.</p><p>In 2011 - she awarded the national’s highest civilian honor - the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Presidential Medal of Freedom</a>.</p><p>But of all her awards and accolades - one of the most memorable was her 1992 commencement address at Spelman College -an <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_college" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">private</a><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historically_black_college" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> historically</a> <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historically_black_college" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">black</a> <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_colleges_in_the_United_States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">women's</a> <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_colleges_in_the_United_States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">liberal arts college</a> in <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta,_Georgia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Atlanta, Georgia</a>, </p><p>The Spelman Messenger later wrote - </p><p>“ <a href="http://www.biography.com/news/maya-angelou-dead-at-86#awesm=~oFzDiNHZNj9yAB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Maya Angelou</strong></a> left an indelible mark upon the world. Her wit, wisdom, and work will continue to inspire generations of Spelman women.” </p><p>With that - let’s listen to Grammy winning poet Maya Angelou and her

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