Maya Angelou's Milestones
Birth
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri, to Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter Johnson.
Parents' separation
Her parents separated, and she was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas.
Childhood trauma and muteness
Experienced trauma after sexual abuse and became mute for several years.
Became a teen mother
Gave birth to her son, Guy Johnson, at age 16.
Dancer and performer
Toured Europe as a dancer in the production of 'Porgy and Bess.'
Civil rights activism
Worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in the civil rights movement.
Moved to Ghana
Lived in Accra, Ghana, working at the University of Ghana and as a journalist.
First autobiography published
Published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' gaining international acclaim.
Professor at Wake Forest
Became Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
Poet at Clinton inauguration
Recited her poem 'On the Pulse of Morning' at President Bill Clinton's inauguration.
Received Presidential Medal of Freedom
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Death
Maya Angelou died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.