Timeline Description: Maya Angelou is an inspiration to millions of people. She is a famous writer and poet, and she played a role in the American Civil Rights movement. This is a timeline of her life.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1928 | Maya is born Maya was born as Marguerite Ann Johnson. Her brother gave her the nickname "Maya". |
| 1937 | Maya suffers abuse At the age of nine Maya was abused by her mother's boyfriend. It traumatized her and she wouldn't speak anymore. |
| 1941 | They move to California Maya, along with her brother and mother, moved to California. Maya went to high school and studied dance and drama. |
| 1942 | A teacher steps in to help While going to school, one of Maya's teachers worked lovingly with her. The teacher helped Maya learn to speak again. |
| 1943 | Maya leaves school Maya graduated from school and then had a baby shortly after that. She worked as a waitress and cook to take care of her son. |
| 1952 | Maya takes on a new name Maya began working as a nightclub singer. She took on the stage name Maya Angelou, and the name stuck. |
| 1958 | Maya moves to New York Maya began writing poetry. Soon she had moved to New York where she joined the Writer's Guild. |
| 1959 | The Civil Rights movement begins Maya worked diligently with Civil Rights activists. She became the coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Council. |
| 1960 | A move to Africa Maya met and followed a civil rights activist to Africa. She stayed there for a few years, working as an editor. |
| 1964 | Maya comes back to America Maya moved back to America. She hoped to work with Malcolm X, who was trying to build an Organization of African American Unity, but Malcolm X was assassinated a few years later. |
| 1970 | Maya Angelou puts out a book After working on it for a few years, Maya puts out her work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It was a huge success. |
| 1972 | The nomination for a Pulitzer Prize Maya was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her work Just Give Me A Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die. |
| 1984 | Maya meets Oprah Maya met the famous talk show host, Oprah Winfrey. They got along well, and Maya became one of Oprah's close friends and mentors. |
| 1993 | An inauguration poem is read Maya is asked to read her poetry at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. She read On The Pulse of Morning. |
| 2006 | The Mother Teresa Award Maya went on to receive numerous awards for her service to the world. One of them was the Mother Teresa Award, and another was the NAACP award. She continues to write and touch others with her heartfelt and soul-searching works. |