Maya Angelou is a renowned American poet, folk singer, civil rights activist, and actress who has received countless awards and recognitions throughout her lifetime. She has been named one of the ‘Top 100 Women of the Century’ and has given many inspirational speeches and poems throughout her career. Angelou has received a multitude of awards, ranging from the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award to a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Performance. In this article, we will explore just how many awards Maya Angelou has won.
Angelou’s work has been recognized with a number of awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award – the highest civilian award in the United States – in 2011. She also won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Performance for her spoken album ‘On the Pulse of Morning.’ In 2013, Angelou was presented with America’s 22nd ‘International Women of Courage Award’ and in 2014, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
Apart from these national awards, Angelou has been recognized with many other awards, totalling more than 50 awards overall. These include: the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Critics Circle, the Langston Hughes Medal from the City College of New York, the Order of the Imagine from the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, the Best Poetry Award from the National Poetry Association, the Polar Music Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, and the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction.
In addition to these awards, Angelou hasbeen honored with 23 honorary doctorates from well-known universities around the world, such as Oxford University, Howard University, Pennsylvania State University, and Yale University. She has also been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, but has yet to receive it.
Angelou’s awards are testament to her hard work and tireless efforts in the field of literature, and to her integral contributions to the civil rights movement and the advancement of women’s rights. Her inspiring words and remarkable works of literature have impacted countless lives and inspired generations.
Awards for Poetry
In terms of awards for poetry, Maya Angelou has received many. In 1989, she was awarded the Langston Hughes Medal from the City College of New York, the Best Poetry Award from the National Poetry Association in 1994, and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2003, among others. She has also been presented with Honorary Doctorates from prestigious universities in recognition of her contribution to poetry.
In addition, Angelou has authored numerous collections of poetry, many of which have won awards. Her most renowned collection, ‘Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die,’ won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1972, and in 1976, the collection ‘The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou’ was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Angelou’s poetry has been celebrated for its introspective and personal perspectives on the fragility of life. Her poems celebrate the vast spectrum of human experience, exploring issues of insecurity and fear, and often offer hope, love and celebration amidst despair. As a result, Angelou’s work continues to be celebrated the world over, and her awards speak to her immense talent and dedication.
Awards for Arts and Activism
Maya Angelou has received numerous awards for her arts, activism and civil rights efforts throughout her remarkable career. In 2010, she was awarded an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Non-Fiction and in 2012, she was presented with America’s highest civilian award – the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award. She also won the National Medal of Arts and Humanities in 2014 and a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Performance in 1995.
Angelou is also the recipient of many awards for her activism and contributions to civil rights. She was honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize in 2008 and in 2014, she was named an Ambassador to ‘The March On Washington Film Festival’ – an annual event that celebrates the legacy of the civil rights leader.
In addition, Angelou has been an important figure in the public sphere, speaking to audiences around the world and giving inspirational speeches. In 2009, she was presented with the Public Service Award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, in recognition of her “longstanding commitment to public service.”
Angelou’s awards speak to her immeasurable contributions to literature, arts and civil rights. Her works have inspired countless individuals and her achievements are remarkable.
Awards for Acting and Music
Though Maya Angelou is primarily known for her work as a poet, she has also been recognized for her work in music and acting. In 2002, she received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in ‘Down in the Delta’ and in 1985, won the Laurel Award for Best Comedy Performance for her role in ‘The Best Man.’
Angelou has also been honored with a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Performance in 1995, for her spoken album ‘On the Pulse of Morning,’ as well as a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word or Non-musical Album in 1997, for the album ‘Phenomenal Women.’
Angelou’s music has been celebrated for its soulful quality and its ability to evoke emotion. She was an important figure in the fusion of folk and jazz music, and her folk ballad ‘A Brave and Startling Truth’ was released in 1988, featuring instrumentation from renowned jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. As a result, Angelou’s work continues to be celebrated worldwide.
Honorary Positions
In addition to her awards, Maya Angelou has been honored with a number of honorary positions. In 1997, she was named the faculty advisor for the G.L.O.W. program at Wake Forest University, a program committed to helping economically disadvantaged young women. She also served as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University from 1982 to 1983.
Angelou was also appointed to the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Institute of African American culture, based at Harvard University, in 2002. She has served as a board member of CARE, a leading humanitarian organization, since 2005, and was appointed the first Reynolds Professor of literature at Winston-Salem State University in 2007.
Angelou has also been an influential figure in the public domain. She was appointed a Lifetime Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 2012, and in 2013, she was appointed to the United States Commission of Fine Arts.
Angelou’s honorable positions and awards speak to her dedication to advancing civil rights, literature and culture. Her contributions to the world of literature and her prolific career have earned her many honors and awards throughout her lifetime.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou is a remarkable individual who has achieved unimaginable success throughout her life. She has won a multitude of awards and has been honored with numerous honorary positions. These awards speak to her immense contributions to literature, activism and civil rights, and her works continue to inspire generations. Angelou will undoubtedly remain a revered figure for many years to come.
