List of honors received by Maya Angelou facts for kids
Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was a famous African-American writer, poet, and civil rights activist. She received many special awards and honors throughout her life. Universities, literary groups, and even presidents recognized her amazing work.
For example, her poetry book Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She was also nominated for a Tony Award for her acting in the play Look Away. Maya Angelou won three Grammys for her spoken-word albums, where she read her poems and stories aloud.
Starting in 1982, she became the first person to hold the lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This was a very special teaching position. She also advised two U.S. presidents, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. In 2000, President Bill Clinton gave her the National Medal of Arts. Later, in 2010, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the U.S. Many health centers and over 50 universities have honored her with special degrees.
Amazing Awards and Honors
Maya Angelou received many important awards for her writing, activism, and contributions to society. Here are some of the most notable ones:
- 1971 – Coretta Scott King Award: This award is given to African-American authors and illustrators for books for children and young people.
- 1972 – Pulitzer Prize Nomination: Her first book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, was nominated for this very prestigious award.
- 1973 – Tony Award Nomination: She was nominated for her role in the Broadway play Look Away, showing her talent as an actress.
- 1975–76 – Presidential Council Member: President Gerald Ford asked her to join the American Revolution Bicentennial Council. This group planned events to celebrate America's 200th birthday.
- 1977 – Presidential Commission Member: President Jimmy Carter appointed her to a commission that worked to remove barriers to women's equality in the U.S.
- 1981 – Reynolds Professor: She began her lifetime teaching position at Wake Forest University, sharing her knowledge of American Studies.
- 1987 – North Carolina Award in Literature: This is the highest honor given by the state of North Carolina for contributions in literature and other fields.
- 1991 – Langston Hughes Medal: This award recognizes African-American writers who explore their cultural heritage in their work.
- 1992 – Horatio Alger Award: This award honors people who have overcome challenges and made important contributions in their fields.
- 1993 – Inaugural Poet: She was chosen to read her famous poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. This was a historic moment.
- 1993 – First Grammy: She won her first Grammy for "Best Spoken Word Album" for her inaugural poem.
- 1994 – Spingarn Medal: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) gave her this medal for outstanding achievements by an African American.
- 1995 – Second Grammy: She won another Grammy for her performance of her poem Phenomenal Woman.
- 1996 – American Ambassador for UNICEF: She helped UNICEF with their fundraising efforts to support children around the world.
- 1998 – National Women's Hall of Fame: She was inducted for her contributions to society and for promoting women's freedom and progress.
- 2000 – National Medal of Arts: President Bill Clinton awarded her this medal for her significant contributions to the arts and culture in America.
- 2002 – Third Grammy: She won her third Grammy for the audio book of A Song Flung Up to Heaven, which was her sixth autobiography.
- 2010 – Presidential Medal of Freedom: President Barack Obama presented her with this, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
- 2015 – U.S. Postal Service Stamp: A stamp was issued in her honor, featuring a quote often associated with her.
- 2022 – American Women quarters: She was one of the first two prominent American women to be honored on a new series of U.S. quarter coins.
Special University Degrees
Maya Angelou received more than 50 honorary degrees from universities around the world. These degrees recognize her achievements and contributions, even though she didn't attend these specific schools as a student. Here are some of the universities that honored her:
- Smith College, 1975
- Mills College, 1975
- Lawrence University, 1976
- Wake Forest University, 1977
- Columbia College Chicago, 1979
- Wheaton College, 1981
- Boston College, 1983
- Rollins College, 1985
- Howard University, 1985
- Tufts University, 1985
- Mount Holyoke College, 1987
- University of Southern California, 1989
- Northeastern University, 1992
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1993
- Lafayette College, 1999
- Hope College, 2001
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003
- Eastern Connecticut State University, 2003
- Chapman University, 2007
- Shenandoah University, 2008
- University of Redlands, 2011
