Angelou, Maya

(born April 4, 1928, St. Louis, Mo., U.S.) U.S. poet. She was raped at age eight and went through a period of muteness. Her autobiographical works, which explore themes of economic, racial, and sexual oppression, include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970), The Heart of a Woman (1981), and All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986). Her poetry collections include Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie (1971), And Still I Rise (1978), and I Shall Not Be Moved (1990). Her recitation of a poem she wrote for Bill Clinton's first inauguration (1993) brought her widespread fame. In 2002 she published her sixth volume of memoirs, A Song Flung Up to Heaven.